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Clifton Strengths Institute Impacts Campus in First YearThe Clifton Strengths Institute accelerated its mission of identifying and maximizingtalent of college students, faculty and staff to guide their personal, professional andleadership development through the use of strengths-based sciences during the pastyear. The institute, funded through a 30 million donation by the Clifton Foundationand Gallup in 2015, gives CBA a unique ability to integrate strengths in all areas ofthe college.“A lot of colleges do great strengths-based work, but to implement it as fully as wedo is unprecedented,” said Mark Pogue, executive director of the Clifton StrengthsInstitute. “Our BSAD 111 course is required of all freshmen and its primary focus isstrengths development. Rarely will you see students take their strengths assessment,and then follow up with an eight-week course intent on helping them understandhow strengths have affected their past performance, and how can they apply strengthsto be successful in the future. The intensity of the implementation is truly unique.”Holly Pham, a junior international business major from Lincoln, jumped at thechance to be a strengths coach. She wanted to be of service to her younger classmates.“The day I decided to be a strengths coach was the day I knew I was going to make adifference in someone’s life,” said Pham. “Nothing is more satisfying than helping afreshman see their potential. After a coaching session, I can immediately tell they feelmore confident with themselves in utilizing their strengths to succeed.”The institute also began the new Clifton Builders Program this year. The programidentifies and develops students who want to create new businesses, build teams orbuild communities through leadership and involvement. It consists of 12 credit hoursincluding nine hours of specific Builders Program courses.30 MILLIONlandmark donation to UNL CBAfrom the Clifton family andGallup Inc. to establish theCLIFTON STRENGTHSINSTITUTE,the world's largeststrengths labBetsy Grindlay ’07 and Mark Pogue, executivedirector of the Clifton Strengths Institutecba.unl.edu/strengthsCarlini Embraces Role as Strengths CoachDrawing on her experience as a freshman, Angelica Carlini knows thevalue a strengths coach can provide a freshman student. That’s why thejunior marketing major from Grand Island, Nebraska, was eager to assistProfessional Enhancement I Investing in Strengths (BSAD 111) students as oneof 80 strengths coaches for the 800-person class.“I wanted to be a mentor because I wish I had my own mentor my firstsemester of college,” she said. “In helping students gain insights intothemselves, I didn’t realize what I would gain myself. My confidence hasgrown because I can now stand in front of a class of 30 freshmen and discussstrengths. This is one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had becauseI’m making a difference in a freshman’s transition to college.”As a member of the CBA Honors Academy, a worker on the Student MarketingAdvisory Resource Team (SMART) in the office of CBA Communications,Marketing and External Relations and a part of the finance committee for Pi AlphaChi sorority, Carlini has put her strengths to work across her campus experiences.“My goal is to bring strengths into any position I will have in the future.Strengths are a great way to get insights on people you work with so you canutilize their strengths to everyone’s advantage,” she said. “I hope to not onlycontinue coaching for the rest of my college career but also become a certifiedstrengths coach after graduation.”4Angelica CarliniNebraska Business 2016

Award-Winning Center Prepares UNL Students for SalesContinuing its growth while establishing itself as a leader inthe field, the Center for Sales Excellence in CBA was namedas a 2016 “Top University for Professional Sales Education”by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF). Recognized forpreparing students for careers in professional selling andhelping to elevate the sales profession, the program teachesstudents how to sell themselves to employers, pitch their ideasand enhance their communication skills.The 2016 award marked the second consecutive year the salescenter has been recognized by SEF. Made possible by a majorgift of 1.5 million from National Research Corporationin 2014, the center features a sales lab that allows studentsto practice selling while their pitches are videotaped andreplayed to provide feedback.“This recognition is a tribute to the quality of the programwe have been able to build in less than three years with thesupport from the college, our partner companies and mostimportantly, students in the program, who are our bestambassadors,” said Dr. Ravi Sohi, professor of marketing,Robert D. Hayes Distinguished Chair of Sales Excellence andexecutive director of the Center for Sales Excellence.Open to both business and non-business major students, theprogram provides students with a certificate in professionalselling after completing 13 hours of coursework. They canDr. Ravi Sohi and sales studentsalso earn an advanced certificate by completing an additionalthree credit hours.The first group of students enrolled in the sales programduring the spring semester in 2014. A small group graduatedfrom the program in May 2015. More than 100 studentshave enrolled in the program since it began, with 38 thus farhaving earned their certificates.“The sales certificate program has been a great way to expandmy education,” said Matthew Sleister, who graduated in May2016 with a degree in management and now works as a salesrepresentative for Sandhills Publishing. “It really focuses onwhat we are going to do specifically in sales, and it relates a lotmore towards what we are going to be doing after graduation.”cba.unl.edu/salescenterKatzberg Relishes Sales Center ExperienceAs she begins to look toward graduation inDecember, Victoria Katzberg considers herexperience with the Center for Sales Excellence asa favorite part of her education at CBA. Katzberg,who is from Doniphan, Nebraska, sees the salescertificate program as a complement to hermarketing major.“I highly recommend students to take advantageof this program,” Katzberg said. “Academically, theCenter for Sales Excellence will be my fondest memoryfrom college. I walked away a stronger, more confidentwoman. I understand how sales work, which will giveme an advantage in the real world.”A member of the inaugural sales center class,Katzberg completed the program in May 2015.University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of BusinessAfter taking the first class of the program, SalesCommunication (MRKT 247), she was hooked.“I was fascinated by sales after the first class.I wanted to know everything I could aboutit,” Katzberg said. “The classes I took inthis program have been my favorite at theUniversity. They are fun and interesting,and the professors do an incredible job ofgiving us real-world examples.”Katzberg said she will enter post-collegelife with a knowledge base far larger thanwhat she had before participating in thesales program. Learning how to build andmaintain relationships, she said, will helpher find her full value as an employee.Victoria Katzberg5

KOZAWA DREAMS BIG AT UNLThe CBA DREAMBIG Academy hashad its share of success stories, andKrystal Kozawa’s is emblematic of whatthe program wants to accomplish. Asthe daughter of Japanese and Mexicanimmigrants and a first-generation nativeEnglish speaker, Kozawa is the firstperson from her family to attend college.That the freshman internationalbusiness major from Omaha isattending CBA is not only a victoryfor Kozawa, but also for UNL. Thanksto being awarded a Gates MillenniumScholarship, Kozawa essentially had herpick of any college in the country.“Through the DREAMBIG program, Inot only realized I wanted to pursue acareer in business, but I also heard aboutthe CBA Honors Academy,” Kozawasaid. “When it came down to decidingwhich college would be the one, UNLwas the only one I felt had a massivesupport system and would constantlypush me to be better.”The Gates Millennium ScholarsProgram gives students of coloran opportunity to complete anundergraduate college education in anydiscipline. Kozawa’s scholarship coversall her college costs based on income,community service, academics andethnic background. After an applicationprocess that included eight essays andtwo letters of recommendation, Kozawawas one of just six Nebraska studentsselected for the scholarship.“It was life-changing,” she said. “In thatmoment, I felt the financial burden ofmy education lift off my shoulders andwas so thankful for everything that hadgotten me there.”After college, Kozawa hopes torepresent a company in global businesstransactions. She owes her career choiceto the week she spent at DREAMBIGbefore her senior year of high school.Krystal Kozawa“UNL wasn’t even on my radar beforeI went through the DREAMBIGprogram,” Kozawa said. “But afterspending so much time on campusand with administration at CBA,I knew I had to consider UNL.”CBA HONORS ACADEMYFounded in 2013, the CBA HonorsAcademy transforms high-abilitystudents with leadership potentialinto the business leaders of tomorrow.Cohorts of approximately 40 students,representing the top business studentsat Nebraska, are challenged by anenhanced business curriculum. With anaction-based learning style, academystudents also develop critical thinking,technical and communication skillsthrough leadership and professionalprogramming. The first cohort willgraduate in the spring of 2017.672%from Nebraska3.77AverageGPA28%from Out of Statecba.unl.edu/honors1,46881service hourscompleteddifferentorganizations/causesThe Big Event, Children’s Museum,Boy Scouts of America, Habitat forHumanity, Launch Leadership, YWCA,People’s City Mission, Big BrothersBig Sisters, Dance Marathon.Nebraska Business 2016

DREAMBIG TransformsHigh School StudentsSixty-three Nebraska students representing 34 highschools learned about the dynamic world of businessat the fifth annual DREAMBIG Academy held July10-15 at CBA. Sponsored by ConAgra Foods, theacademy is designed to teach business, leadershipand networking skills to students from across thestate, show them future careers and prepare themfor the college search.“The DREAMBIG Academy empowers thesehigh school seniors to envision how they can usebusiness to achieve their goals,” said Dr. D’veeBuss, assistant dean for undergraduate programs.While living in a UNL residence hall, studentsmet with professors, explored different majorsand discovered their strengths through hands-onprojects. At a networking reception, they met morethan 50 professionals who shared insight andadvice. They also attended site visits at ConAgra,Firespring, Hudl, Target and Total Image, andvolunteered with the People’s City Mission.Milton Castanon of Grand Island, Nebraska, saidthe sense of community around the college played alarge role in making his experience beneficial.“DREAMBIG is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thementors, staff and faculty want us to succeed,” hesaid. “I learned so much and realized how businessis a part of everything.”“UNL wasn’t even on my radarbefore I went through theDREAMBIG program.”– Krystal KozawaUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln College of BusinessThe academy concluded with a graduationcelebration attended by more than 150 familymembers and guests. Students shared how businessis interwoven in many aspects of their lives.Elaundra Nichols from Omaha, Nebraska, said,“Studying business can help me fulfill my dreamof running a non-profit. You need to knowaccounting to keep the books and marketingto connect with people.”cba.unl.edu/dreambig7

TFORMER ALL-AMERICANTAYLOR SANDERSON JOINSTHIRD MAIAA COHORTaylor Sanderson, a studentin the third cohort ofthe master of arts inbusiness with a specializationin intercollegiate athleticsadministration (MAIAA) programat UNL, is no stranger to multitasking. In high school, he playedfootball, baseball, basketball andran track. He spent the last fiveyears mastering several events tobecome one of the nation’s best inthe 10-event grind known as thedecathlon.Arguably the most physicallydemanding event an athlete canparticipate in, the decathlon pushesevery boundary in horizontal andvertical jumps, sprints, hurdles,distance races and throwing events.Sanderson took on the challengeat Iowa State University where hebecame a two-time All-American,Academic All-Big 12 four years ina row. He received the Senior MaleAthlete All-Around Award in 2016,given to one outstanding seniormale athlete annually.That drive led Sanderson to preparefor a career in collegiate athleticsadministration. Because theMAIAA program was uniquelydesigned to allow students to earna competitive Big Ten businessdegree while simultaneouslygaining experience in the NebraskaDepartment of Athletics, he knew itwas the right fit.cba.unl.edu/maiaa8“When I learned about the MAIAAprogram, it was where I wanted tobe,” said Sanderson. “This programis exactly what I was hoping for ingraduate school and everything fellinto place.”Nebraska Business 2016

“When I learnedabout the MAIAAprogram, it wasexactly what Iwas hoping for ingraduate schooland everythingfell into place.”– Taylor SandersonThe unique graduate degree is thebrainchild of Dean Plowman andDirector of Nebraska AthleticsShawn Eichorst. Up to 12 studentsare admitted annually to theexclusive MAIAA program, whichserves as the only hybrid businessand sport-specific program in thecountry offering a competitivegraduate assistantship to alladmitted students.“This program is a gateway to myfuture. If I work hard over the nexttwo years and take advantage ofthe generous opportunities givento me at Nebraska, I will be able tohave a successful career followinggraduation,” Sanderson said.In two years, Sanderson will becompeting for another title – hisfirst job in intercollegiate athleticsadministration.University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of BusinessJames Hajek and Lorie GarnettMAIAA Students Garnett, Hajek SweepCoSIDA Postgraduate ScholarshipsTwo students in the MAIAAprogram at CBA made historyby sweeping this year’s CollegeSports Information Directors ofAmerica (CoSIDA) postgraduatescholarships.James Hajek from Omaha,Nebraska, received the 7,500 WylieSmith Postgraduate Scholarship,given to a graduate in a mediarelations/sports informationoffice who has expressed aninterest in collegiate athleticscommunications. Lorie Garnettfrom Manteca, California, receivedthe 7,500 Langston RogersPostgraduate Scholarship, givenannually to a rising minority orfemale student working in athleticcommunications/sports informationwho is interested in pursuing acareer in intercollegiate athleticcommunications.It is the first time two studentsattending the same institutionswept the awards since 1997,when CoSIDA began offering twopostgraduate scholarships. Inaddition, Erica Nett, a UNL MBAstudent, was the runner-up for theLangston Rogers scholarship.Garnett earned a bachelor’sdegree in communications fromBrigham Young University beforealso working in the BYU mediarelations office in 2013-14. Sheworked as an assistant sportsinformation director at Utah ValleyUniversity prior to coming to UNLand currently works in the CBACommunications, Marketing andExternal Relations Office.Hajek is in his second year of theprogram which includes a year-long,paid graduate assistantship withNebraska Athletics. He currentlyserves as the women’s gymnastics andwomen’s bowling contact. He came toUNL after earning his undergraduatedegree in business administration fromWeber State University in Utah, wherehe also played basketball.“Each year we receive numerousapplications from a very talented andqualified applicant pool from acrossthe country, so to see James and Loriewin national awards at a very earlystage in our program’s developmentis tremendous. They demonstratethe caliber of student we admit intoour program,” said Brandon Urry,program coordinator for MAIAA.9

SOHI LEAPS AHEADWITH UNL MBAAs she hurled herself out of an airplane toward the desertbelow, odds are Simran Sohi wasn’t thinking about the masterof business administration degree she earned from CBA. Buthaving the chance to live and work in Qatar, and by extensiongo skydiving while traveling in Dubai, likely would not havebeen possible without her education.Despite not having a background in business – she earned abachelor of science and bachelor of arts in pre-health with amajor in psychology and a minor in history – Sohi understoodthe advantages of obtaining an MBA. From collaborativelearning with peers to working with world-renownedprofessors committed to her success, Sohi said the 50-year-oldcustomizable program exceeded her expectations.“I wanted a degree that was applicable across a numberof different fields,” Sohi said. “My MBA helped me learnto work in group settings to achieve a common goal. Theemphasis on project-based assignments meant no two classexperiences were the same. We collaborated on real issuesfacing companies, and presented our findings and strategies.Working through these types of tasks was great practice fordeveloping the skills valued in today’s workforce.”After graduating in May 2015, Sohi went to work for CernerCorporation based in Kansas City, the world’s largest publiclytraded health information technology company. Sohi works asa consultant and travels to healthcare facilities throughout theworld to provide training and support to doctors, nurses andstaff as they document patients’ electronic records.While she grew up in Lincoln and moved just a couple hoursdown the road to begin her career, Sohi’s position allows herto see the world. She travels “100 percent of the time” fromPhoenix to New Orleans and lived for three months in Doha,Qatar. She crossed many things off her bucket list whileoverseas, including floating in the Dead Sea, exploring the lostcity of Petra in Jordan, visiting the Grand Mosque in Omanand, of course, sky diving over the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.“At one point, I was more familiar with the airport in Qatarthan in Kansas City,” Sohi said. “Nearly everywhere I’vetraveled, there was always someone from or who had familyin Nebraska. It was quite the experience to introduce myself inthe Middle East and have them reply ‘Go Big Red!’”“At one point, I was morefamiliar with the airport inQatar than in Kansas City.”– Simran SohiSimran Sohi ’15 skydivingmba.unl.edu10Nebraska Business 2016

SRAM ProgramTransitions to CBAThe Survey Research andMethodology (SRAM) program atUNL trains students on innovativepractices in the collection of regional,national and international surveydata. Through an ongoing partnershipwith the Clifton Foundation andGallup, SRAM transitioned to CBAthis year providing a world-classinterdisciplinary program graduatingstudents who make an impact in boththe public and private sectors.MBA online student Mark Snyder with a lion in South Africa and above at the Black & Veatch construction site.Challenges Inspire MBA Student in South AfricaWorking in Sou

in Rankings - U.S. News & World Report - Record Enrollment Growth at UNL As UNL saw record enrollment growth in 2016, the College of Business Administration was among the campus leaders in adding students. Combining undergraduate and graduate enrollment, 4,196 called CBA home this fall. The largest incoming freshman class in the history of UNL