Character Development at the University of Kansas: The IRISE Virtues Initiative

KU faculty are invited to apply to participate in a grant-funded project: “Character Development at the University of Kansas: The IRISE Virtues Initiative.” The goal is to increase faculty support for teaching IRISE virtues and thereby contributing to the character development of KU students. This initiative is being supported by a grant from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University and is being led by Dr. Nancy Snow, Professor of Philosophy and Dr. Kimberly Beets Research Analyst, Analytics, Institutional Research & Effectiveness. Support for course design will involve partnering with the Center for Teaching Excellence.

Application deadline: August 25, 2025

What is IRISE? 

IRISE values are integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, and excellence. Each of these values is explained in the IRISE culture charter. Virtues, by contrast, are dispositions of persons.  Integrity and respect can be considered both values and virtues. Innovation, stewardship, and excellence, by contrast, are values that can be enacted in our lives through virtues such as creativity, open-mindedness, care, intellectual humility, and cooperation.  

Participants will be expected to: 

  1. Attend meetings to learn about IRISE virtues and character development on the following Fridays during the fall semester, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, and Nov. 21 from noon-1 PM 
  2. Attend meetings during the spring semester to create or redesign a course featuring IRISE virtues and character development pedagogies and assessments (hosted by CTE, dates and times TBD)  
  3. Commit to participate in assessment activities  
  4. Commit to teach the new/redesigned course for at least 3 years following initial development, or hand off the course to another qualified instructor, and participate in the community of practice organized around the initiative.   
  5. Share the results of their work in a poster at the CTE Celebration of Teaching in May 2026.   

Who is eligible? 

Faculty (including teaching specialists, teaching professors, and multi-term lecturers) from any department or academic program on the KU Lawrence or Edwards Campus may apply. This opportunity is best suited for teachers who have some experience reflecting on their teaching and improving student learning.  

How will you benefit from participating? 

In addition to what you (and your students) will gain, you will also: 

  • Become part of a community of practice from across campus who are interested in character education.  
  • Participate in the development of public-facing online course modules with subject matter experts from other institutions.  
  • Become part of an international community of practice devoted to character development.  
  • Receive a $7000 stipend or professional fund.  This will be the total stipend for the three year teaching commitment. 

 How do you apply? 

Submit an application by August 25 through email to both Drs. Nancy E. Snow and Kim Beets (nsnow@ku.edu; kim.beets@ku.edu). The application should be 1 page and should address the following:  

  1. What course do you propose to focus on, and why? 
  2. What are your goals for participating in this program? For your students and their learning? 
  3. Describe an example of something you have done in your teaching to improve your students’ learning. 
  4. Confirm your availability for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 meetings.

Selection Criteria 

Selection will be based on applicants’ openness to teaching innovation and character development pedagogies, interest in engaging with an interdisciplinary faculty community, ability to commit to attending and participating in meetings, and ability to commit to sustainable teaching of courses as stated in expectation 3 above. 

Participants accepted into the program will be notified during the first week of September.  In the meantime, please hold the fall meeting times on your calendar.  

Questions? 

Contact either Nancy Snow or Kim Beets at the email addresses above.