Thirty-one faculty and staff from across the University of Nebraska–Lincoln completed a week-long training in January facilitated by the Clifton Strengths Institute in the College of Business to work toward becoming Gallup-certified strengths coaches. After practicing coaching and completing the exam, they will join more than 100 Gallup-certified coaches at the university.
Ten College of Business faculty and staff pursuing certification will join more than 50 other certified coaches in the college alone.
CliftonStrengths® provides coaches with a common language for discussing students' and employees' individual aspirations, challenges and opportunities — and provides transformative coaching tailored to each person’s one-of-a-kind strengths. Nebraska is where strengths-based psychology originated through the work of Don Clifton, ’48, ’49, ’59 and ’90, who first asked, "What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than fixating on what is wrong with them?” A four-time University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate and former professor at Nebraska, he developed the CliftonStrengths assessment.
"The Clifton Strengths Institute is the hub of strengths activity on the campus where strengths first started. Yet, what's special about Nebraska is everyone on campus wants to lead through strengths and help students stretch theirs," said Timothy Hodges, Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and assistant professor of practice in management. "Many of our participants were in student-facing roles where they’re focused on developing the potential of students as they progress through college and into a career. Other attendees were in staff leadership roles and eager to learn about how to onboard, coach and develop their teams. More Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches in multiple colleges, Student Affairs, Athletics and beyond means we all can continue to build strengths-based environments that positively impact our greater community."
The new Gallup-certified strengths coaches include:
- Winnie Asamoah, program coordinator, Peter Kiewit Engineering Academy
- Heather Borck, research development program coordinator, Office of Research and Innovation
- Adam Caprez, associate director of research development and engagement, Holland Computing Center
- Chloe Carlson, program coordinator of the Clifton Strengths Institute, College of Business
- Trina Cress, career coach, College of Arts and Sciences
- Allison Docter, career coach, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jennie Ernest, senior director of talent acquisition and human resources, University of Nebraska Foundation
- Richard Fishler, academic advisor and international business coordinator, College of Business
- AnnMarie Gottner, senior director of student services, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Emily Griffin Overocker, senior director of student success, Hixon-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
- Abby Groth, associate director of residence life, University Housing
- Kadina Koonce, assistant director of career development and planning, College of Business
- Kody Maguire, assistant director of recruitment, College of Business
- Courtney Eitzmann, career coach, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Mary McElroy, academic advisor in Business Advising and Student Engagement, College of Business
- Amanda Metcalf, assistant director for the Center for Entrepreneurship, College of Business
- Bethany Meyers, career coach of the business career center, College of Business
- Laurie Miller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and curriculum and associate professor of practice in economics, College of Business
- Maria Muhlbach, senior director of alumni outreach, Nebraska Alumni Association
- Casey Murphy, program coordinator, Peter Kiewit Engineering Academy
- Matt Nelson, director of residence life, University Housing
- Lucas Novotny, executive director of housing and dining services, University Housing
- Yi Qian, professor of electrical and computer engineering, College of Engineering
- Abbie Reynolds, career coach, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Meagan Savage, associate director for career development, College of Arts and Sciences
- Jacob Sharrer, utility training and safety coordinator, Husker Energy and Power
- Monique Snowden, interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, Academic Services and Enrollment Management
- Marissa Starman, program coordinator and academic advisor in Business Advising and Student Engagement, College of Business
- Danny Steiner, associate director of housing and dining – strategy and development, University Housing
- Jannah Vanie, employee development and inclusion specialist, University Libraries
- Darci Williams, human resources manager, College of Business
Lucas Novotny of University Housing talks with Jacob Sharrer of Husker Energy and Power during one of the training activities.
AnnMarie Gottner, senior director of student services for the College of Education and Human Sciences, shared her excitement about incorporating strengths-based approaches to support students and enhance team dynamics within her college.
"Our college is looking at how to incorporate and introduce strengths and working with our first-year students. We're preparing future teachers, health care providers and community leaders and this could be a powerful first step for them," said Gottner. "Dr. Hodges said they've been doing this work for almost 10 years at the Clifton Strengths Institute. We have their history, experiences and knowledge to build upon. I'm really excited about their partnership of being a sounding board going forward."
Lucas Novotny, executive director of housing and dining services, plans to expand the focus on strengths in University Housing, which received the institute's inaugural Strengths Partnership Award in 2023. The award honors departments on campus that have made an intentional effort and commitment to applying strengths within their work. University Housing was selected for creating strengths-based teams for residential assistants.
"I was really proud of the work we did then, and having four of us become certified coaches through this opportunity can help scale it," Novotny said. "I learned more about CliftonStrengths, I could see all the benefits for our resident assistants and residents and what it could bring to the student experience at Nebraska."
Gallup-certified strengths coaches at the university are invited to attend meetups hosted by the Clifton Strengths Institute for further collaboration. A national model for strengths-based education, the institute also offers free workshops to student organizations, faculty and staff to stretch strengths, transform classroom culture, and unlock greater levels of performance and engagement.
