Departmental Spotlight: StrongPoints Focuses on Strengths

As 2024 comes to a close, we asked Emily Caldwell, director of StrongPoints, to share some highlights from the last year and what is ahead for the program in 2025.

How do you describe your department or program to students?
“StrongPoints is Meredith College’s signature strengths-based program, designed to help students and employees unlock their potential by understanding and leveraging their unique strengths. Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and classroom integration, we focus on academic, professional, personal, and financial success. Our mission is to provide the tools and guidance to create a strengths-based campus, empowering students and employees to thrive throughout their lives.”

What are some highlights of the past year that you are proud of?
“This year, we’ve seen exciting growth and impact! We’ve increased the number of StrongPoints Ambassadors, fostering a culture where students not only embrace their own strengths but help others do the same. Our Strengths Spotlight Series has gained momentum, showcasing how employees across campus utilize their strengths in their roles. Additionally, we’ve significantly increased our reach and impact, working with more students and employees than ever before. Another highlight has been our increased presence in classrooms, where we’ve had the chance to discuss not just strengths but also financial literacy with students. On top of that, our one-on-one financial coaching sessions have grown exponentially, helping students take charge of their financial futures.

This year also brought an exciting addition to the StrongPoints team: Lisa Brown became the assistant director of StrongPoints. Lisa brings skills and perspectives that complement my own, and I’m so happy to have her on board. Her expertise and energy have already made a positive impact on our team and the Meredith community.”

What are some things that you are excited about for 2025?
“2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for StrongPoints! We’re expanding the Strengths Spotlight Series to include students, giving them the opportunity to share their strengths stories alongside employees. Our collaboration with HR continues to grow, with exciting initiatives on the horizon—stay tuned! Additionally, more faculty are integrating strengths into their courses, which is a fantastic way to deepen the program’s impact. Being present in more classrooms and continuing to provide financial literacy programming are key steps forward in creating a truly strengths-based campus.”

Anything else you’d like to share?
“StrongPoints is about empowering individuals to understand and maximize their strengths. As we look to the future, I can’t help but lean into my #1 strength, Futuristic. I’m constantly envisioning ways we can enhance and expand the program to benefit the Meredith community. With Lisa Brown’s addition to the team and the exciting opportunities on the horizon, I’m thrilled to see how StrongPoints continues to grow and shape the campus. Stay tuned for updates — you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!”

Learn more about StrongPoints