Students, faculty and staff have participated in strengths-based development through partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Gallup.
More than 1,000 students, faculty and staff at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) have participated in strengths-based development through the HEROES (HBCUs Embracing and Retaining Our Everyday Strengths) initiative, a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Gallup.
The university is marking the milestone as the second HEROES cohort completed the program on June 18.
The HEROES initiative helps students identify, develop and apply their talents through Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment and strengths-based coaching model. Since launching at UDC two years ago, the program has expanded into a campus-wide effort reaching students, faculty and staff through classroom instruction, leadership development, career readiness programming and professional development opportunities.
"At UDC, we are committed to creating innovative pathways that help students succeed from enrollment through graduation and beyond," said President Maurice D. Edington. "This initiative reflects our investment in student development and our belief that students achieve their greatest success when they recognize their strengths, build confidence in their abilities and connect their education to meaningful career opportunities."
Building a Culture of Strengths
Housed within UDC's Office of Career Services, the program is integrated across several aspects of the campus experience. Students are introduced to strengths-based development in their first year and continue building on those insights through leadership programs, career readiness workshops and assignments designed to prepare them for future success.
"The HEROES program has helped create a culture where students better understand their strengths from the very beginning of their journey at UDC," said LaShawn Sharp, career counselor and Gallup HEROES campus lead. “We help them recognize what they naturally do well and understand how those talents can support their academic, personal and professional goals.”
For participants in the second HEROES cohort, completing the program represented more than a series of workshops and assessments. It also brought them to a deeper understanding of how their talents can contribute to success in college, their careers and their communities.
Students Put Strengths Into Action
For participants in the June 18 celebration, completing the program marks more than the end of a series of workshops and assessments. It represents a deeper understanding of how their talents can contribute to success in college, their careers and their communities.
“This initiative has been incredibly impactful and eye-opening for me,” said UDC Student Government Association President Toluwalase Adetosoye. “After taking the Gallup assessment and learning my top five strengths, I gained valuable insights that helped me grow in a more intentional way. I was able to recognize areas where I could improve, and I’ve already started making progress.”
“I have never felt so excited and energized to attend a conference for an entire week,” said recently certified student coach and class of 2026 graduate Victor Amador. “Attending the Gallup Training is still one of those unforgettable experiences because it helped me understand myself on a deeper and more relatable level. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to grow and learn.”