It’s that time of the year for those of us on semesters: students are returning to campus, orientation sessions are wrapping up, we’re putting the final touches on fall course schedules and closely watching fall enrollment numbers. Deans and department chairs are also preparing for the annual start-of-the-year faculty meetings at which we will introduce new colleagues, provide updates on academic and other campus initiatives, and articulate our goals for the year. It is generally an energetic, upbeat meeting at which nine-month faculty reconnect with their colleagues in a moment of optimism about the academic year ahead.
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
