CASE STUDY: BRIDGING THE MATURITY GAP
Partner: University of Chicago, Office of Civic Engagement
Program: Command Your 24™: Strategic Time Mastery for Future Leaders
Audience: 200–250 Chicago Public School High School Students
THE CHALLENGE: The "Soft Skill" Deficit in STEM Success
High-achieving students are often technically brilliant but operationally overwhelmed. For the high schoolers in UChicago’s elite college and career readiness portfolio, the transition to university-level rigors and professional internships presents a significant "mental friction" barrier. The university identified a critical need for non-technical skills like personal mindset and professional self-management to increase student hirability.
THE SOLUTION: Command Your 24™ & The R.E.M.I.X. Framework
Dr. Nikeya delivered a high-impact workshop designed to bridge the gap between academic potential and professional performance. Rather than a standard lecture, she provided an "incubator" experience that focused on tangible strategies students could implement immediately. She taught students to see themselves as "High-Potential Leaders" who own their time, rather than just students following a schedule.
THE RESULTS
1.
91% Student Satisfaction Rating
On a 5-point scale, the Command Your 24™ session was rated exceptionally high for providing helpful, practical information.
2.
Record-Breaking Engagement
Dr. Nikeya received one of the highest volumes of student thank-you cards of any speaker at the conference.
3.
The "Ideal Speaker" Standard
University leadership cited Dr. Nikeya as the ideal partner - efficient in planning and delivering with "joy and ease" even while navigating a physical injury.
4.
Repeat Authority
Due to her consistent impact, Dr. Nikeya has been invited back for consecutive years and has been invited back as a keynote speaker for 2026.
"Dr. Nikeya’s stack of thank-you cards was one of the thickest in the office. She provides tangible tips and strategies that our young people need to move from being students to being professionals."
Emily Cracolici, Assistant Director of Career Readiness Initiatives, UChicago