University of Dubuque expands character and purpose education with new partnership

The University of Dubuque is expanding its efforts to instill values of character, identity and purpose in students through a partnership with the LearningWell Coalition.

The private university announced in a news release it has joined the LearningWell Coalition through the University of Dubuque Wendt Center for Character and Leadership, an initiative that seeks to develop and strengthen values of compassion, courage, empathy, humility, integrity, justice, respect and stewardship, according to its website.

According to the news release, the LearningWell Coalition is a national network of higher education institutions that works to cultivate “students’ identity, agency, belonging, character, and sense of purpose on campus to create and sustain wellbeing for life.” More than 30 colleges and universities are listed as coalition members.

“The Mission of the University of Dubuque aligns directly with the LearningWell Coalition values,” said Adam Hoffman, University of Dubuque vice president for academic affairs, in the release. “As an institution we are deeply invested in cultivating inclusive, high-impact learning environments that support wellbeing and meet the evolving needs of our students and communities. This represents an excellent opportunity to join forces to continue to support holistic student education and formation.”

Membership to the coalition will aid in two initiatives at the University of Dubuque, the release stated, with one already in prelaunch with pilot events under its belt.

A grant awarded to the university this summer and the coalition partnership are helping to support “Pathways to Purpose,” which will expand “character development opportunities” to all students at the university, the release stated. The program was previously limited to just students in the Wendt Center’s Character Scholars program.

Faculty are also getting involved in strengthening character education, according to the release, with the future launch of the Character Learning Outcome Faculty Development Initiative. Designed to aid faculty in “developing and assessing meaningful character learning outcomes across disciplines,” the release stated the initiative will change curriculum so students can connect their classroom teachings with “the values and virtues that prepare them for life beyond UD.”

The pilot for the faculty initiative will begin in summer 2026.

“The University of Dubuque brings a rich tradition of purpose and character to the coalition,” said LearningWell Coalition executive director Keith Buffinton in the release. “Through the Wendt Center’s innovative programs and commitment to whole-person education, UD is modeling how institutions can integrate student formation into every dimension of student life. We are thrilled to have them as partners in advancing this work nationally.”

This article first appeared in Iowa Capital Dispatch.