ECI Staff Updates

We want to share some updates about our ECI staff, as well as some job openings made possible by a new grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Purvis to depart ECI, Rothschild will serve as new Director

Dr. Jennifer Rothschild, the incoming Director of the Educating Character Initiative.

The Educating Character Initiative has flourished under the leadership of its inaugural director, Beth Purvis. As the ECI continues to grow, Beth will be leaving her position on August 9, 2024, to return to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the charter school network she led for 12 years. Beth will continue to support the Program for Leadership and Character as an active member of the ECI Advisory Board.

Under Beth’s leadership, the ECI has launched its first request for proposals, built a talented and committed team, established partnerships with institutions across the world, recruited more than 1,000 members into the community, and led our first round of grantmaking, which will provide more than $17 million to individuals and institutions focused on educating character. 

“Beth has been a phenomenal leader of this new initiative, bringing her tremendous vision, expertise, and passion for character to the work of establishing the Educating Character Initiative,” said Michael Lamb, Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character. “We could not have imagined a better leader to launch this initiative. We wish Beth the best as she returns to an organization she helped to build and are delighted that she will continue to lend her expertise to the ECI as a member of the Advisory Board.”

“It has been an honor and privilege to help to build the infrastructure, recruit the team, and craft the message inviting educators from around the country to join the Program for Leadership and Character at this critical time in American history,” said Purvis. “I look forward to remaining a part of the character community and supporting the vital work of the ECI.” We wish Beth well as she returns to Chicago International Charter School.

We are excited to announce that Jennifer Rothschild, previously Senior Scholar of Character in the ECI, will become Director of the ECI. A philosopher with expertise on virtue and character, Jennifer has been part of the Educating Character Initiative from its inception and played a leading role in shaping the ECI’s vision, team, and grantmaking.

“Jennifer is a thoughtful, passionate, and creative leader with gifts for building partnerships and applying her scholarly expertise on character to empower and equip others to develop innovative programs and initiatives,” said Lamb. “Jennifer has worked closely with Beth to launch the initiative and has been an exceptional member of our ECI team. We are thrilled that she will serve as our new Director.” 

New Team Member 

Dr. Emily Hunt-Hinojosa, Senior Research Scholar and Associate Director of Partnerships

We are pleased to welcome our newest team member, Emily Hunt-Hinojosa, who will serve as Senior Research Scholar and Associate Director of Partnerships. Prior to joining the ECI, Emily served as Director of Academic Excellence Initiatives and Assistant Clinical Professor of Civic Formation and Social Innovation at Baylor University. As a sociologist who focuses broadly on character, social change, and higher education, she brings extensive experience not only in understanding and forming character but also in evaluating and assessing programs that seek to educate it. As part of her role, she will lead workshops and trainings on how to assess character, support ECI members and grantees in evaluating their programs, and direct cross-institutional research studies that seek to understand the impact of character in higher education.