Twelve University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business students traveled more than 8,600 miles to Malaysia this spring for a hands-on leadership and coaching experience that left a lasting impression — both on them and the Malaysian students they guided.
As part of the eight-week course Strengths in a Global Context: Exploring Malaysia and Management (MNGT 398), the group led Clifton Strengths workshops in March at four Malaysian institutions: INTI International University, Sunway University, Taylor’s University and Methodist College Kuala Lumpur. Many of the students they coached are preparing to transfer to U.S. universities, including Nebraska, as part of an American Degree Transfer Program.
The workshops, developed and delivered by Nebraska students trained as Clifton Strengths coaches, helped participants identify and apply their top talents. Through small group sessions and one-on-one coaching, students learned to “name, claim and aim” their strengths in academic and career settings.
“This was more than just a study abroad trip—it was a shared learning experience in global leadership,” said Blayne Sharpe, director of global partnerships and initiatives in Nebraska’s Office of Global Strategies. “Nebraska Business is contributing to a strengths-based network that extends across institutions, and the connections formed on this trip have the potential to shape student growth and collaboration well into the future.”
The university maintained strong ties with Malaysian institutions for over 30 years, and more than 1,000 Malaysians have graduated from Nebraska, especially in fields like actuarial science, engineering and agriculture. This latest initiative adds another layer to that legacy, blending global recruitment, personal development and real-world leadership in one immersive experience.
As the students returned home to Lincoln, they brought with them not just memories, but confidence and a renewed belief in the power of helping others see their potential.
“These Huskers weren’t just talking about strengths, they were helping students uncover a part of themselves they didn’t know was there,” said Chenxiang “Andy” Zeng, '18, international recruitment specialist who helped coordinate and host the Malaysian itinerary. “One student at Sunway shared how he had always seen being an introvert as a flaw, but through the workshops, he realized it was actually a strength, as he's a deep thinker, a careful planner and a great listener. That kind of shift in mindset is something I’ll never forget, and I don’t think he will either.”
Dywan Williams Jr., a senior accounting major from Omaha, said the experience reaffirmed the universal relevance of strengths-based development.
“Before going to Malaysia, I wasn’t sure if conversations about strengths would land the same way across cultures, but I saw that strengths really do transcend borders,” said Williams, who plans to begin his Master of Professional Accountancy degree at Nebraska in the fall before launching his career with EY. “Students were opening up and sharing things they’d never said aloud. It was cool to see how just talking about what you are good at can feel really positive and be impactful. It gave them courage to pursue new challenges, and it gave me a greater sense of purpose as a coach and future leader.”
The course, taught by Tim Hodges, Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute and assistant professor of practice in management, and Alyson Lenz, assistant director of the Clifton Strengths Institute, combined classroom learning with hands-on practice.
"These student coaches were introduced to strengths in their first year as business students to learn about themselves, then trained to be coaches in a second course. This advanced course took their skills to a global level, helping them make cross-cultural connections and adapt their coaching styles in new environments," Lenz said.
In the course, Huskers explored Malaysian culture, completed assignments and led a strengths workshop at Standing Bear High School in Lincoln to prepare for their work abroad. For Ellie Schaardt, a senior accounting major from Steinauer, Nebraska, the local high school workshop made the international work feel both achievable and impactful.
“Facilitating the workshop at Standing Bear mirrored what we did in Malaysia, and it prepared us more than we realized at the time,” Schaardt said. “It also taught us the importance of trusting our team, even when we didn’t have all the details. Being in a completely different country, engaging with students our age who are preparing to leave everything they know—it gave me so much respect for international students. It was truly the experience of a lifetime.”
For the Malaysian students, the peer-led sessions offered a fresh opportunity to exchange perspectives in a cross-cultural setting.
“The interactive format created space for students to connect and collaborate in new ways,” Zeng said. “Our Malaysian partners bring strong academic models and a commitment to global engagement, and this program reflected the value of building on those strengths through international partnership.”
Kaitlin Ferris, assistant director of the Clifton Builders Program, also traveled with the group and described the journey as transformational for everyone involved.
“As the week progressed, our students gained confidence in their coaching abilities and learned how to build relationships quickly,” Ferris said. “The energy and curiosity from the Malaysian students was incredible and made this learning experience for our students possible. Most had taken the Clifton Strengths assessment, but this was the first time they explored what those results really meant for them and what it might look like to apply those strengths as they transition to studying in the United States.”
The Clifton Foundation provided support that helped reduce travel costs and open the experience to Nebraska students who may not otherwise have been able to study abroad. The generous funding not only broadened access but helped plant seeds for long-term impact.
“Strengths aren’t labels,” Williams said. “They’re launchpads, and whether you’re in Nebraska or Malaysia, everyone deserves the chance to discover what makes them strong.”
The 12 student strengths coaches who participated in this experience are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing, and areas of study.
Nebraska
- Bellevue: Delaney Huck, junior Clifton Builders management major
- Central City: Jade Erickson, senior Clifton Builders management major
- Lincoln: Nathan Makinson, senior economics major; Mari Samuelson, senior marketing major
- Omaha: Ava Rosenfels, senior marketing major; Dywan Williams, senior accounting major
- Steinauer: Ellie Schaardt, senior accounting major
- Valley: Audrey Frohloff, senior marketing and management major
Elsewhere
- Ames, Iowa: Brylie Anderson, senior marketing and management major
- Courtland, Kansas: Carolina Barraza, senior accounting major
- Overland Park, Kansas: Sydney Beck, senior marketing and Clifton Builders management major
- Shakopee, Minnesota: Carly Gorter, senior finance and Clifton Builders management major
