Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact

Founding director of the center and professor of philosophy, Dr. Heather Keith explains: “By strengthening our student programming and faculty development around building character, we will engage the campus community in a broad discussion of meaningful and purposeful lives and careers and collectively work toward solving the important problems of our time.”

Funded by the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University and Lilly Endowment, Inc., the Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact offers opportunities across the curriculum and our campuses to build the virtues and skills necessary to solving wicked problems and building more resilient and flourishing people, communities, and ecosystems. The center sponsors faculty development, speakers, and connections with local communities, and is launching a student cohort of “Hope Scholars” in 2026.

Launching in 2025-2026, this new center empowers Radford University students to serve others and address societal needs in a world facing significant challenges.

Four Key Virtues

Organized around four key virtues, the Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact will support research and community-based experiences, faculty development, and campus and community events to enable resilient and sustainable personal and institutional growth toward positive public impact.

Opportunities in the Center

Funding for student and faculty research and creative projects
Summer faculty institute in character and public impact pedagogies
Civic virtue and democracy programming, including voter education and registration
Civil discourse and dialogue across differences
Wicked Fest and other events
Support for students interested in service and leadership

Events

VA 250 Public Square Debate
March 16, 2026
6:30 p.m.
Bonnie Auditorium

Join us for this "Braver Angels" style debate on the resolution "Is the American Dream alive and well?" This event is part of the VA 250 celebration, and is open to the public.

Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact Grand Opening
March 31, 2026
9-11 a.m.
Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact

Join us to celebrate our grand opening! There will be a short program at 9:30 a.m. and a light breakfast will be served. You will have the chance to hear about how you can be involved in our character and public impact work!

Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact Grand Opening Roanoke Celebration
March 31, 2026
7-8 p.m.
The Taubman Museum event space

Celebrate our grand opening with an evening with Beth Macy, author of Paper Girl.

Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact