The Clifton Strengths Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business has selected 42 students to serve as new strengths coaches for the 2020-21 school year. The new coaches will join returning coaches to mentor more than 750 first-year business students in Professional Enhancement I: Investing in Strengths.

Required for all first-year business students, the course aims to help students develop and apply their strengths to achieve individualized academic, personal and professional success using the CliftonStrengths assessment. During the course, coaches lead team meetings of up to 10 students once a week and facilitate two one-on-one strengths coaching sessions for each team member to help them recognize and maximize their potential. They also help facilitate discussions during class.

“Transitioning from high school to college often brings big challenges,” said Tim Hodges, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute. “Students receive frequent feedback during their first few weeks on campus that informs their identity. Our focus in Professional Enhancement I is to ensure that our new College of Business students receive positive feedback, with an intense focus on helping the students build their character and reach their potential. The CliftonStrengths assessment and our time in class gives students a good foundation, but the most impactful development often happens when they meet one-on-one with our amazing student coaches.”

Open to students from any college at Nebraska, prospective coaches complete an application and interview process. Once selected, they enroll in the Strengths Coaching, Theory and Practice Training Course, a three-credit-hour course focused on gaining functional knowledge in strengths-based development.

“In this course, strengths coaches develop their talents and gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to successfully coach their students in the fall to build lives of meaning, purpose and impact,” said Samantha Kennelly, associate director of the Clifton Strengths Institute.

The new strengths coaches are from eight states and represent 21 academic majors. Thirty-two attend the College of Business.

“Selected students have the passion and energy to positively impact the lives of others and the natural talent to easily connect and communicate with people to help steer their development,” Kennelly said. “First-year students experience the most success when our coaches recognize their unique potential and guide them to succeed by leading with their strengths.”

Learn more about strengths coaches and the Clifton Strengths Institute.

The new strengths coaches for the 2020-21 school year, with their year in school in spring 2019 and academic major(s), are:

NEBRASKA:

• Aurora: Jadyn Cattau, sophomore, human development and family science, and pre-occupational therapy

• Elkhorn: Rachel Greufe, freshman, business administration; Hannah Headley, freshman, business administration

• Grand Island: Joshua Wiemers, freshman, business administration

• Lincoln: Erika Casarin, sophomore, management; Benjamin Hohensee, sophomore, management; Jacob Jesske, freshman, accounting; Peyton Potratz, sophomore, marketing; Addison Wanser, freshman, business administration

• Omaha: Cristopher Fishback, freshman, actuarial science; Mason Fridrich, freshman, business administration; Andrew Hall, freshman, accounting; Caroline Hites, freshman, advertising and public relations; Gabrielle Jaaper, freshman, marketing; Sarah Lies, freshman, political science and global studies; Ridley Miller, freshman, finance; Tori Pedersen, sophomore, agricultural leadership, education and communication; Meghan Schuette, freshman, international business and marketing; Carson Scott, freshman, business administration; Brandon Zohlen, freshman, marketing

• Papillion: Delaney Stienblock, sophomore, finance; Alyssa Zabawa, freshman, marketing

• Plattsmouth: Cooper Moore, freshman, finance

• Scottsbluff: Payton Flower, sophomore, agricultural economics

• Wahoo: Madison Talbert, junior, marketing and pre-law

• Waverly: Andrew Moylan, freshman, finance

ELSEWHERE:

• Orlando, Florida: Emma Kollar, freshman, marketing

• Barrington Hills, Illinois: Jordan Jansen Van Vuren, sophomore, accounting

• Naperville, Illinois: Alexander Kearns, sophomore, management

• Clive, Iowa: Leah Hunter, freshman, management

• Manchester, Iowa: Alexander Schnieders, freshman, actuarial science

• Apple Valley, Minnesota: Ana Rodriguez, junior, advertising and public relations

• Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Mikayla Capouch, freshman, microbiology and biochemistry; Olivia Dohmen, freshman, management; Bryn Pursey, sophomore, business administration

• Wanamingo, Minnesota: Madisyn Alme, sophomore, finance

• Woodbury, Minnesota: Kate Gaulke, freshman, political science; Clare Vavro, freshman, marketing

• Missoula, Montana: Nora Higgins, sophomore, finance

• Astoria, Oregon: Maria Heyen, freshman, international business and Clifton Builders management

• Colleyville, Texas: Kendall Munoz, freshman, international business

• Houston, Texas: Collin Smith, freshman, biology