UPDATE: We are thrilled by the overwhelming interest in the Leadership and Character Certificate Program, which has now reached full capacity. This enthusiasm reflects the growing community of faculty and staff committed to character-centered leadership at Wake Forest. While registration is closed, we are taking names for a waitlist for either Spring 2025 or Fall 2026. We are also planning to expand offerings and create additional opportunities for those who complete the program this year.
Transform your professional practice through character-centered leadership
Elevate Your Impact at Wake Forest
The Leadership and Character Certificate Program, offered by the Program for Leadership and Character and Learning & Development (formerly the Professional Development Center), is designed for faculty and staff who want to make a meaningful difference in their work and the broader university community. This comprehensive professional development opportunity will equip you with research-based tools and practical strategies to integrate character principles into your daily professional practice.
Through dedicated reflective practice, you’ll learn to engage in meaningful dialogue across differences in support of Wake Forest’s mission of developing leadership and character in the university community. The certificate program builds a foundation in character development research and provides practical strategies for incorporating character-based practices into daily work roles, supporting Wake Forest’s commitment to professional growth that enhances both personal and institutional excellence while building community through shared values.
Why does this matter?
Whether you’re leading a team, teaching students, supporting colleagues, or serving the university in any capacity, character-centered approaches enhance both personal fulfillment and institutional effectiveness, contributing to a university culture where character fundamentally shapes how we lead, teach, serve, and engage across campus.
Practical Skills for Real Impact
Learn evidence-based strategies to incorporate character and ethical leadership into your specific role, creating positive change in your immediate work environment and beyond.
Research-Based Foundation
Develop a deep understanding of character development research and how virtues like integrity, courage, and wisdom manifest in workplace scenarios across university contexts.
Enhanced Dialogue Skills
Master techniques for leading thoughtful conversations about complex issues and facilitating respectful dialogue across differences, essential skills for today’s diverse workplace.
Reflective Practice Framework
Establish sustainable practices for ongoing self-reflection, growth, and accountability that will serve you throughout your career.
Community and Connection
Build meaningful relationships with colleagues who share your commitment to character-centered work, creating a supportive network across the university.
Professional Growth Recognition
Earn a certificate that demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and ethical leadership, valuable for career advancement and personal development.
Flexible and Self-Paced
The certificate program offers a flexible learning experience through a series of workshops focused on various aspects of character development and leadership. Complete six workshops to earn your certificate. You can take them in any order based on your interests and schedule.
- Six 90-minute workshops (complete in any order)
- Self-paced learning that fits your schedule
- In-person sessions with refreshments provided
- Interactive format combining presentation, discussion, and hands-on activities
- Follow-up assignments (15 minutes each) to reinforce learning
Expert-Led Sessions
Each workshop is facilitated by experts in character development and leadership, ensuring high-quality content tailored to university contexts.
Meaningful Application
Every session includes practical tools you can implement immediately in your work, plus structured reflection to help you integrate new insights.
Upon completion of the Wake Forest Leadership and Character Certificate Program, participants will be able to better:
✅ Understand the Foundations of Character Development
Recognize research-based approaches to character development and how virtues like integrity, courage, and wisdom manifest in workplace scenarios across university contexts.
✅ Apply Character-Centered Leadership
Connect leadership theories with character principles to improve organizational culture and institutional effectiveness through ethical decision-making and inclusive practices.
✅ Integrate Character into Professional Practice
Develop tailored approaches to embed character development into your specific professional context, including curricula, policies, team-building, and daily interactions.
✅ Promote Dialogue across Differences
Lead thoughtful conversations that explore ethical dilemmas, promote respectful dialogue on complex issues, and embrace diverse perspectives in your work environment.
✅ Cultivate Reflective Practice
Establish personal and organizational rituals that encourage ongoing self-reflection, growth, and accountability around character development.
✅ Advance Institutional Character
Collaborate with colleagues to design processes, programs, and structures that embed character principles into university programs and operations and advance Wake Forest’s mission of developing ethical leaders.
Who Should Participate?
This program is designed for all Wake Forest faculty and staff who want to:
- Enhance their leadership effectiveness
- Create more positive work environments
- Align their professional practice with their values
- Contribute to Wake Forest’s mission of developing ethical leaders
- Build meaningful connections with colleagues across the university
- Invest in their personal and professional development
No prior experience required – just a willingness to learn, reflect, and grow.
Program Investment
What’s Included:
- Six expert-facilitated workshops
- All materials and resources
- Refreshments during sessions
- Certificate of completion
- Recognition at annual celebration event
- Ongoing access to program alumni network
- Note: There is no cost to participate in this program for Wake Forest faculty and staff.
Time Commitment
Total investment: approximately 10.5 hours over the timeframe of your choosing
60-90 minutes per workshop (6-9 hours total)
15 minutes of reflection after each session
Getting Started
To receive the Wake Forest Leadership and Character certificate, complete 6 workshops from the offerings available through Workday Learning by May 15, 2026. The workshops can be completed at your own pace, in any order.
Certificate Requirements
- You must complete 6 workshops total by May 15, 2026:
- 1 required workshop from each of the following three categories:
- Understanding the Foundations of Character Development
- Applying Character-Centered Leadership
- Promoting Dialogue Across Differences
- Then, choose 3 elective workshops from any category, including the electives list below.
Registration Process
- Register your intention to complete the program
- Receive access to the Canvas page to track attendance and submit assignments
- Browse available workshops on our site or in Workday Learning
- Register for your workshops in Workday Learning
- Select and attend your six required workshops by May 15, 2026.
- Complete brief follow-up assignments after each session
- Receive your certificate
Questions?
Contact Kathleen Stimely
Senior Director of Program Administration
📧 mckeekl@wfu.edu
📞 336-486-1568
Reach out with any questions or to learn more about the certificate program.
Join colleagues across Wake Forest who are committed to leading with character and making a positive impact in their work and community.
“Character is not just what we do when no one is looking—it’s how we shape every interaction, decision, and opportunity to create the kind of community we want to be part of.”