In the current climate of disruption and uncertainty on our campuses and in the US, we need some joy. We need to remember the excitement and wonder that our students feel when things go well, when they find their passion, and when they feel that they unlock the secrets of their disciplines and engage in the true, deep learning that comes from their own hard work—aided by the guidance of committed faculty members. We need to lean into these moments and consider how we might foster them in our institutions and our faculty members’ classrooms.
Character (Still) Counts: Moral Injury and the Case for Character Education
Many academic leaders remember the Character Counts! initiative from the 1990s and early 2000s. It was visible in schools and youth programs nationwide, emphasizing as core values the Six Pillars
Teresa Maggard Stephens
June 15, 2026
