Leading with character and integrity, for humanity

Character is forged in challenge, and integrity defines how we respond. Leading with character and integrity — especially at Wake Forest — means embracing what is distinctly human: community, creativity, and optimism. And my time as President of Wake Forest has only reinforced my belief in our capacity to cultivate just these kinds of leaders for a world that needs them.

When I first arrived on campus in 2021, Wake Forest was navigating a pandemic that compelled us to reimagine even the most basic university functions. During those first weeks, I witnessed a community that wasn’t simply weathering the storm, but continuing to strive for excellence while caring for one another. 

Since then, we have continued to face new challenges. Like all in higher education, we have faced challenges to adapt to changing legal landscapes from admissions to athletics. We have learned to support students as they explore emerging fields, learn to tackle society’s most pressing questions, and seek to develop their whole and authentic selves. Colleges and universities now sit at the center of public discourse on issues ranging from the cornerstones of our democracy, like freedom of speech, to the value of university research and teaching in today’s society. Through all of this, we have navigated the unexpected and sought to uphold – to the best of our abilities –  our values and our mission, and to show up for one another. Because of our university-wide commitment to our motto,  to the Strategic Framework we built together, and to one another, Wake Forest has risen to the challenges of the moment, time and time again.

My first impressions of an ambitious, resilient, and deeply caring Wake Forest have only been reinforced over time. Wake Forest is undoubtedly committed to excellence and driven by purpose – a community defined by curiosity and selflessness of character that forges truly unrivaled graduates, colleagues, and friends. This is evident in everyone from our newest Deacs to faculty and staff celebrating 50-year work anniversaries. 

Leading with integrity requires a fierce dedication to continually building and maintaining trust, to collaborating and cooperating, knowing when to step in and support and when to step back, listen and observe. These are habits of mind and heart that I see each and every day in my interactions with this community, and they are habits we must continue to forge ahead toward our bicentennial. 

As I reflect on these years of shared progress and purpose, I do so with gratitude and optimism for Wake Forest’s future. Three weeks ago, I announced my decision to step down as university president at the end of this academic year. With Wake Forest in an enviable position of momentum and clarity of purpose, I am moving forward into these next months and through the academic year with confidence in Wake Forest’s ability to continue developing leaders for today and tomorrow.  

My confidence in Wake Forest’s future is based on our people and their dedication to continuing to educate leaders with character and integrity. Character education, professional development, and research on best practices is embedded and integrated across our academic areas, from the College to the professional schools – Divinity, School of Professional Studies, Business, Medicine, and Law. 

The integration of the study of character spans tailored curricula and innovative programming, and our leadership education efforts are broad-based and inclusive. From Campus Life’s Office of Leadership and Engagement to leadership and character course offerings in computer science, entrepreneurship, and more – Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff at all levels are embracing our distinctive calling to proactively shape who we are, not just what we know. And beyond our campuses, the Program for Leadership and Character is sharing our expertise in character education with institutions around the world. 

Character and integrity, deeply woven into leadership, are true and enduring Wake Forest values, nurtured and integrated into the academic and cultural fabric of our institution. Guided by this conviction, I have sought to strengthen and expand Wake Forest’s commitment to developing leaders with character and integrity across every part of the university and throughout the student experience. Our culture of principled leadership isn’t accidental; it’s the powerful result of our collective and daily investment in embracing what it means to be human through discovery, discernment, and care.