The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted Strengths Day, an inaugural celebration of the university’s partnership with Gallup and its CliftonStrengths talent assessment.
The event featured strength-focused workshops involving UT leadership, notable alumni, and prominent employers from across the country who discussed the positive impact a strength-based approach can provide scholars and future employers.
Plowman Honored with Don Clifton Hall of Fame Award
Strengths Day centered on a defining moment: Chancellor Donde Plowman was honored with the Don Clifton Hall of Fame Award by Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton.
The award recognizes champions of the CliftonStrengths assessment and the vision of its originator, Don Clifton. In accepting the honor, Plowman credited the entire campus community for advancing CliftonStrengths at UT.
“We are all on a journey of transforming this university into a world-class operation,” Plowman said.
Fireside Chat: Purpose and Partnerships
Earlier in the day, Plowman joined Clifton for a fireside chat moderated by Student Body President Chase Darwin. The conversation highlighted the priorities of today’s students, who place high value on meaningful work.
“Students today are open to learning and making a difference in the world,” Plowman said. “This group of young people have had to grapple with difficult times, learning how to adapt in real time to new and pressing challenges.”
Plowman and Clifton agreed that stronger partnerships between universities and companies will be essential to meet these expectations and close the gap between college and career.
Live Interview with the Haslams
In the style of Gallup’s Leading with Strengths podcast, Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams held a live interview with UT alumni Jimmy and Dee Haslam.
The Haslams shared how CliftonStrengths has become a business asset in their ventures, helping build more collaborative leadership teams. They emphasized that a strengths-based approach not only develops better leaders but also fuels purpose, passion, and long-term success.
Leading with Strengths Podcast
As part of Gallup’s “Leading with Strengths” podcast series, Dr. Williams sat down with Gallup CEO Jon Clifton to discuss how CliftonStrengths are utilized on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus, how those strengths help with student development, and how it has helped in her leadership abilities.
Panel: Building Teams That Think Big
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick moderated a panel titled “CEO Advantage: Building Teams That Think Big.” Panelists included Dr. Sally Harris, director of Online Programming, Dr. Krystyne Savarese, associate vice provost and executive director of the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration, Dr. Pat Akos, associate vice provost and executive director of University Honors and Undergraduate Research, Fellowships & Service Learning, and Kathleen Dryden, treasury chief operating officer of Bank of America.
The discussion focused on preparing students for an evolving job market through communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.
“Our aim as educators is to provide students the opportunity to hone their critical thinking skills and give them a solid foundation to enter the workforce,” said Zomchick.
Dryden added, “Collaboration and emotional intelligence are something AI can’t do,” underscoring the value of human skills in the workplace.
Research and Legacy from Gallup
Jim Clifton also shared Gallup’s latest research on strengths development and its
role in recruitment and culture. He reflected on Don Clifton’s philosophy of moving away from “deficit fixing” and toward personal growth grounded in strengths.
This approach has become a hallmark of UT’s strategy to help students thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
Student Celebration
The day of impactful conversation culminated with a student-focused celebration held in 21st Century Mortgage Plaza where the top five strengths of the Class of 2029 were revealed with help from UT’s mascot Smokey.
Keep scrolling to see more photos from this year’s Strengths Day!
