Best Practices: Dakota Wesleyan University

At Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU), we encourage our students to develop their strengths in all areas of their college experience. During their first year, each of our students takes the Clifton StrengthsFinder through StrengthsQuest and learns about the 34 talent themes. With that education as a baseline, students, staff, and faculty have the freedom to implement strengths language however they see fit. To date, there have been residence hall competitions, in-class demonstrations, student leader training, athletic team building, and weekly student-strength features in our campus newsletter in addition to off-campus strengths outreach.

The most significant step DWU has taken in its strengths implementation was the creation of the Center for Talent Development in 2008. The Talent Center focuses on discovering and developing strengths, then aligning them with academic assistance, career advising, major/minor selection, and college and life skills development. We take a strengths-based approach to supporting our students' decision making in each area, helping them draw on their innate talents to put them on a path to excellence.

DWU has also developed a four -year/four-course series, "Learn Strong X01." This series, which counts for credit and is mandatory for all students, focuses on various stages of strengths development. Beginning with the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment in each student's freshman year, the series provides a systematic, intentional implementation of strengths philosophy, language, and orientation.

The Talent Center also has developed faculty and staff outreach programs to encourage voluntary participation in the strengths movement. When employees are hired, they are given the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 and are offered additional training to develop their strengths and deepen their understanding of the strengths philosophy. This institutionwide support has created significant change in our campus culture, and all of us -- employees and students alike -- are benefitting from it.

As part of our student-focused strengths programming, the Talent Center works closely with the athletic department in coaching select student athletes to use their strengths more effectively on their team. Various student groups also undergo intensive strengths training. Resident assistants, resident directors, peer mentors, peer tutors, new student orientation leaders, and our student ministry council all take advantage of personal strengths coaching and learn to operate fluidly and efficiently as a team. A new addition this fall is our Talent Scouts, a student leadership development team.

DWU has been active beyond the walls of the university as well. The Talent Center has presented its work on strengths to a local networking and service group, garnering interest and support from the community. It has also presented on strengths to the state ASPIRE conference and at Gallup's Strengths in Education conference. DWU is affiliated with the administration of the Mitchell First United Methodist Church and has worked with administrators and staff on their individual and team strengths. The focus of this program has been on optimizing communication, conflict resolution, and helping employees understand various styles of problem solving and appreciate the talents each person brings to his or her role and to the team.

DWU's approach to strengths development works because of our close-knit community culture and the one-on-one attention we can give to each student. All new students are matched with a strengths coach and are encouraged to discuss their talents during Learn Strong 101. All students have access to the Talent Center, which focuses on drawing out each person's "best self" using the strengths vocabulary. At DWU, we don't just talk about talent: We learn, lead, believe, and serve. Strong.