If someone wants to PM me and share, I will message you back with a few of mine, and specifically a place you can post a .edu link and customize the entire page...
I have found that open source programming can be quite good for your link building/authority. You are free to join many OS projects out there, and even spearhead some of your own. Most people will have scripts lying around that others are dying to use. You will find that it's easy to get links to your professional webservice. Github, Django, RoR, etc.
It's unlikely anyone will share an amazing idea out in the open out of fear that it will get saturated, but here's one for you (mind you I don't use it). If you have clients, you can insert a link back to your site on it at the bottom to get a backlink from them. This was popular in the 90s something like "Designed by XYZ design company". It had a resurgence in the 2000s with people creating Wordpress themes that had their link in it, but I don't think it works anymore since Google created rules about this sorta link building method.
Link building techniques are basics so most of the people already know it but if you are creative to diverse these strategy it will be new for them.
I like link building suggested by Brian Dean. I like Moving Man and Guestograghic techniques to get quality backlinks.
Here is the link of 17 Untapped Backlink Sources . http://backlinko.com/17-untapped-backlink-sources I find this resources Very Helpful. Please share your feedback after reviewing it.