Making Ethics and Character Central in Higher Education
Assessing how to help college students cultivate strong character, moral integrity, ethical principles, and actions.
At this critical time, it is vital to help college students cultivate the essential core foundations for a thriving democracy. Numerous well-intentioned and carefully structured initiatives exist or are currently being developed. Yet, we lack a clear understanding of what actually affects students’ character and has a lasting impact over the collegiate years and beyond.
This challenge is further compounded by the current politicized climate, where a sizeable proportion of the American population
distrusts higher education and questions its value. In addition to helping to foster good character in students, our project aims
to help the higher education sector reaffirm its relevance in American society. Now is the time to demonstrate how higher education
can shape prosocial mindsets and behaviors and empower students to make meaningful contributions to the common good.
Specifically, drawing on our decades of research experience and established methodologies, we are conducting in-depth,
comprehensive assessments of courses, programs, and missions at diverse colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Our work is guided by three core questions:
- Does an institution’s stated mission, programs, and/or courses on character, ethics, and leadership deepen and expand
students’ and alumni’s understanding of their role as workers and citizens in the world? - Do these initiatives shape students' and alumni’s perspectives and development over the course of college—and, if so, how?
- Can we find evidence that these efforts have a lasting impact on students' and alumni’s professional and civic lives?
Meet the Team
Thank You to Our Funder
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kern Foundation.