How It Started
The journey began in 2022 with Dr. Jim Strode, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, who also teaches the Leadership class in the world-renowned Master of Sport Administration (MSA) Program. Wanting students to understand themselves before leading others, he integrated Athlete Assessments’ Sports ManagerDISC Profile into the program, and the results were immediate and powerful.
As Dr. Strode explains:
“I think it’s critically important that students start by understanding themselves. When you look at any dimension of leadership, if you don’t understand yourself first and foremost, it is pretty tough to lead other people.”
From there, what started in one graduate sport program quickly expanded into using the Team8 DISC Profiles with undergraduate business courses, internships, and even international consulting experiences to build upon the student’s learning and application over time, and maximising the value of the profile.
Voices from the Program
Katie Thomson, Associate Director of Career Management & Career Education
“Students love seeing their DISC results. You’ll hear them laughing and nodding as they read through their profiles, saying, ‘Yep, that’s totally me!’ It sparks great classroom discussions where they compare notes on how their styles play out in teams.”
Ryan C. Johnson, Director, Integrated Business Cluster
“The one-page summaries have become almost like ‘cheat sheets’ within student teams, helping them tailor their communications with teammates, resulting in more effective and efficient collaboration.”
Andrew Pueschel, Director, Center for International Business Education & Development
“DISC benefits students undertaking the Global Consulting Program by helping them learn how to lead and communicate in ways that best suit their individual styles, the situation, and team performance.”
Dr. Jim Strode
“Students have their ‘aha’ moment, but if you don’t intentionally bring it back, they’ll forget about it. The key is ensuring they apply it continuously.”
The Results
Today, every business student at Ohio University completes their DISC Profile in their first year and continues applying it across four years of coursework. Faculty and staff are also engaged, ensuring students receive consistent, meaningful application of the tool in one-on-one career advising, project-based learning, internships, and working programs.
The integration is now recognized as one of the most comprehensive uses of DISC in higher education globally, and it’s only just getting started.
Find Out More
See the step-by-step approach Ohio University used to transform undergraduate education, and take inspiration for your own institution. Download the full case study below to explore the complete journey and see how DISC can transform education, teamwork, and leadership, and how Team8 People supported them in developing tailored resources to ensure students get the most out of the program. Whether you are teaching in business studies or other disciplines, find out more about our Academic Program and the scalable and customisable potential.
