What does it mean to help undergraduates develop not only knowledge and skills, but also the character needed to lead meaningful lives and contribute positively to society?

This spring, more than 40 faculty and staff members from across UD came together to explore that question as part of the UD Coalition on Character Development, a university-wide initiative supported by the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University.

The Coalition awarded $76,000 in mini-grants to support 25 projects spanning academic programs, student life, athletics, civic engagement, global learning and student well-being. While each project reflects a unique approach to character development, all share a common goal: helping students cultivate qualities such as intellectual curiosity, creativity, integrity, respect, civility and leadership.

To support these efforts, mini-grant recipients participated in a two-day workshop focused on evidence-based approaches to teaching, assessing and cultivating character in higher education.

“Our aim here is to make character development more evident at UD,” said Johann Ducharme, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and principal investigator of the initiative.

Faculty and staff engaged in conversations about how character development already occurs across campus and how those efforts might become more intentional, connected and impactful.

As mini-grant projects launch across campus this fall, the UD Coalition on Character Development will continue supporting faculty and staff through communities of practice, assessment partnerships and future convenings designed to strengthen collaboration and advance student flourishing.