Reclaiming Engagement: A CliftonStrengths Approach to Building Resilient Auxiliary Teams
Tracks
Human Resources
| Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Salon A |
Overview
Salon A-B
Details
Workshop Summary:
In today’s climate of rising uncertainty—where geopolitical unrest, national polarization, dwindling job prospects for graduates, and shifting auxiliary operations converge—student and staff employees are experiencing new levels of stress. The result? Fractured relationships, lost motivation, and an increasing sense of invisibility at work.
This session offers a pathway toward possibility.
Join leaders from San Diego State University’s Associated Students and California State University, Northridge’s University Student Union as they share how embracing Gallup's CliftonStrengths for more than 15 years has redefined how they engage their teams. By focusing on the best of what people bring to the table, these organizations have created cultures that attract top talent and foster deep belonging—even in turbulent times.
Discover:
Why CliftonStrengths is more than a personality tool—it's a strategic framework for talent maximization
Practical examples of how strengths are embedded across part-time and full-time roles
Common implementation pitfalls and how to avoid them
Key leadership shifts that support a culture of strengths-based engagement
This session will inspire attendees to reimagine organizational development, not as a response to crisis, but as a commitment to what people do best—and who they truly are.
Speaker
Christina Brown
Executive Director, Associated Students Sdsu
Associated Students, San Diego State University
Reclaiming Engagement: A CliftonStrengths Approach to Building Resilient Auxiliary Teams
Biography
Christina Brown serves as the executive director of Associated Students at San Diego State University. As executive director, she works in partnership with student government leaders to oversee the long-term planning and growth for the auxiliary organization, and the many programs, facilities and services it offers.
Christina previously served as associate executive director for A.S. and before joining the organization in 2009, she was the first woman and youngest executive to be named senior vice president and chief financial officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment where she worked in the international television division. She also has worked at Walt Disney Studios and KPMG Peat Marwick.
Sharon Kinard
Associate Director, Administration & Communications
University Student Union, CSU Northridge
Reclaiming Engagement: A CliftonStrengths Approach to Building Resilient Auxiliary Teams
Abstract
Workshop Summary:
In today’s climate of rising uncertainty—where geopolitical unrest, national polarization, dwindling job prospects for graduates, and shifting auxiliary operations converge—student and staff employees are experiencing new levels of stress. The result? Fractured relationships, lost motivation, and an increasing sense of invisibility at work.
This session offers a pathway toward possibility.
Join leaders from San Diego State University’s Associated Students and California State University, Northridge’s University Student Union as they share how embracing Gallup's CliftonStrengths for more than 15 years has redefined how they engage their teams. By focusing on the best of what people bring to the table, these organizations have created cultures that attract top talent and foster deep belonging—even in turbulent times.
Discover:
Why CliftonStrengths is more than a personality tool—it's a strategic framework for talent maximization
Practical examples of how strengths are embedded across part-time and full-time roles
Common implementation pitfalls and how to avoid them
Key leadership shifts that support a culture of strengths-based engagement
This session will inspire attendees to reimagine organizational development, not as a response to crisis, but as a commitment to what people do best—and who they truly are.
In today’s climate of rising uncertainty—where geopolitical unrest, national polarization, dwindling job prospects for graduates, and shifting auxiliary operations converge—student and staff employees are experiencing new levels of stress. The result? Fractured relationships, lost motivation, and an increasing sense of invisibility at work.
This session offers a pathway toward possibility.
Join leaders from San Diego State University’s Associated Students and California State University, Northridge’s University Student Union as they share how embracing Gallup's CliftonStrengths for more than 15 years has redefined how they engage their teams. By focusing on the best of what people bring to the table, these organizations have created cultures that attract top talent and foster deep belonging—even in turbulent times.
Discover:
Why CliftonStrengths is more than a personality tool—it's a strategic framework for talent maximization
Practical examples of how strengths are embedded across part-time and full-time roles
Common implementation pitfalls and how to avoid them
Key leadership shifts that support a culture of strengths-based engagement
This session will inspire attendees to reimagine organizational development, not as a response to crisis, but as a commitment to what people do best—and who they truly are.
Biography
Sharon S. Kinard serves as the associate director of Administration and Communications for the University Student Union at California State University, Northridge. A former news reporter with the Los Angeles Daily News, at CSUN, she has oversight of Administration/Assessment, Strategic Marketing & Communications, and University Student Union Information Technology.
A former part-time co-instructor of assessment for CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education, Sharon holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Diego State University. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and Facilitator.
