SALT LAKE CITY — At the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute, one of the distinctive experiential opportunities provided via the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, students aren’t just learning about leadership, they’re experimenting with it. Through hands-on projects with organizations, Goff students have tackled challenges like homelessness, food insecurity, and business growth, delivering innovative solutions and making a strategic impact.

Since 2020, University of Utah undergraduate students participating in Goff-facilitated experiences have engaged with some 150 organizations, providing strategic leadership support through consulting projects and internships that drive organizations’ missions forward. Indeed, thanks to its partnerships with organizations ranging from companies like C.W. Urban to high-impact nonprofits like WasteLess Solutions (which is committed to ending food waste), Goff has placed 235 undergraduates in their first internships, including nearly 50 at present.

Each semester, Goff connects students with community partners, including nonprofits, startups, and established organizations. Our students apply their skills to real challenges, while partners gain innovative solutions and fresh perspectives. Currently, Goff students are engaging with the Utah community in many ways:

  • Utah Food Bank: Expanding volunteer engagement to combat hunger statewide. 
  • The Leonardo: Enhancing storytelling to boost memberships and funding. 
  • Project Read: Scaling critical adult literacy education across Utah. 
  • Girl Scouts of Utah: Improving member retention and volunteer engagement. 
  • Energy Accelerator - Nanobubble Technology: Commercializing PFAS-destroying water tech. 
  • Glow SLC: Growing revenue through unique wellness experiences. 
  • Clean Development International: Evaluating and creating market entry strategies for carbon-reducing hydrogen fuel. 

Here are three organizations the Goff Institute has partnered with to achieve that dual-purpose goal of giving students with real-world experience while also providing value to participating businesses:

Empowering Refugee Chefs: The RISE Culinary Institute

Goff students partnered with the RISE Culinary Institute to develop strategies aimed at changing the narrative around refugees by celebrating their culinary talents. The students made a significant impact by:

  • Enhancing recruitment strategies to reach more aspiring refugee chefs. 
  • Improving funding operations with targeted communication and donor engagement. 
  • Recommending strategies to strengthen job placement for graduates by connecting them with local restaurants and businesses. 

“[Goff students’] ability to simplify processes while keeping an eye on both the big picture and smaller details was truly impressive,” said Lavanya Mahate, founder of RISE Culinary Institute.

Putting an End to Chronic Homelessness: The Other Side Academy & The Other Side Village

Goff Institute’s multi-year partnership with The Other Side Academy (TOSA) and The Other Side Village (TOSV) is a powerful example of how leadership education can create tangible social impact. Through Goff programs, students have tackled real challenges for these organizations, including:

  • Developing a social enterprise to provide dignified wages for formerly unhoused individuals. 
  • Creating a career development strategy to support TOSV residents transitioning out of chronic homelessness. 
  • Supporting and automating operational and fundraising processes. 

“Through years of collaboration, Goff students have provided strategic support and innovative solutions that have helped scale the impact of [The Other Side Academy and Village],” said Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village. “Together, we have built safe, supportive communities where individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, incarceration, and addiction can rebuild their lives.”

Carter McDaniels, a Goff alum, spoke of the impact that collaborating with TOSA had upon his academic career.

“Prior to participating in Goff, I lacked a sense of academic direction and admittedly had a difficult time engaging in most of my classes. All that changed in my Goff experience when engaging with the Other Side Academy,” said McDaniels. “During this time, I was exposed to a whole new world of what was possible if I applied myself and fully committed to a goal. Goff has been the most influential aspect of my time in college.”

Supporting Local, Women Entrepreneurs: The Block Pilates Studio

Goff students revamped the business strategy of The Block Pilates Studio, a unique fitness studio located in downtown Salt Lake City that offers intimate reformer Pilates classes and a collaborative space to connect and support its community. Goff students made a huge impact on this small business by:

  • Optimizing pricing models for financial sustainability. 
  • Redesigning the studio’s website and social media strategy. 
  • Enhancing community engagement (e.g., event pop-ups, collaborations) to align with the founder’s mission. 

“Working with the students was inspiring; there were so many aspects of business and strategy I had not considered. They were creative in their problem-solving and attentive to every aspect of the business,” said Mariah Berhle, founder of The Block. “In the end, I was blown away by the final presentation. I have used the students’ recommendations in many areas, starting with pricing adjustments, and I continue to use their recommendations as a guide for the next phases of my business.”

About the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute

The Goff Strategic Leadership Institute empowers individuals to create meaningful impact by redefining leadership as action and influence rather than titles or authority. Open to all majors and career stages, Goff Institute bridges the gap between knowing and doing through research-backed education and real-world experiences. With a foundation of trust, feedback, and care, our programs equip students and professionals to leverage their strengths, navigate complexity, and drive change for the greater good. Join us at the Goff Institute and discover how to create real value as a leader. Learn more at Goff.Utah.Edu.