Educating for character at Wake Forest: Leadership and character certificate program
A message from Wake Forest’s Learning and Development (previously PDC) team
In this month’s Learning and Development blog, we are featuring one of our partners in professional development on campus, The Program for Leadership and Character, and details of their new certificate program.
What does it mean to cultivate a culture of character at a university? At Wake Forest, where we are committed to developing leaders of character, the answer goes beyond what happens in the classroom. It reaches into the daily work of staff and faculty: the systems we design, the conversations we foster, the decisions we make, and the values we live out each day.
As outlined in Wake Forest University’s Strategic Framework, developing leaders of character is not only a foundational pillar of our institutional vision but also a shared aspiration that touches every corner of campus.
Research from Cultivating Virtue in the University affirms that the culture of a university, including its practices, priorities, and people, shapes how character is formed. While faculty influence students through their teaching and mentorship, staff shape the university experience through every touchpoint: from course registration to financial aid, from campus maintenance to community engagement. Though many universities speak of leadership and values, Wake Forest is working to embed them into the heart of its institutional culture. To advance this vision, the Program for Leadership and Character and HR’s Learning & Development (formerly, the Professional Development Center) are launching a new Leadership and Character Certificate Program for all faculty and staff. This flexible, self-paced series of workshops invites faculty and staff from all areas of the university to explore character development, ethical leadership, and dialogue across difference in their own professional context.
The program consists of six workshops, including one required course in each of the following categories:
- Understanding the Foundations of Character Development
- Applying Character-Centered Leadership
- Promoting Dialogue Across Differences
Participants then select three electives from a range of topics, including workshops on integrity, teamwork, hope, mentoring, and reflective decision-making. Whether you work in academic departments, administrative offices, student services, facilities, or operations, the program is designed to meet you where you are and help you lead with character in your own sphere of influence.
By participating, you will gain:
- A grounding in character development research
- Practical tools for ethical decision-making
- Strategies to lead and collaborate more effectively
- Time and space for meaningful reflection
- A cross-campus network of colleagues committed to shared values
By continuing to support the development of all who shape our campus community, we strengthen our ability to cultivate a culture where character is not only taught but also lived and where everyone contributes to our shared mission of developing leaders of character, regardless of role or title.
Registration is now open! Go to our website to sign up to complete the program, review the offerings and sign up through the Workday Learning links. The program kicks off with its first workshop on September 8th, 12-1:30PM with Michael Lamb “Understanding the Foundations of Character Development.” We hope you will join us.
For questions or to learn more, contact Kathleen Stimely, director of program administration, at mckeekl@wfu.edu.
Categories: Human Resources, Leadership & Character