AAC&U Character Corps
Build a campus culture rooted in dialogue, connection, and character.
In partnership with Crossing Borders Global, AAC&U is launching the Character Corps, a yearlong initiative that helps colleges and universities strengthen student character development through structured, facilitated dialogue. Participating institutions join a cohort of peers and collaborate to design and implement a customized, mission-aligned action plan.
Each institutional team develops a strategy tailored to its goals, student population, and priority character strengths—then puts that plan into action with ongoing support and training.
How It Works
The inaugural Character Corps cohort launches in July 2026 at the AAC&U Institute on Experiential Learning and Engaged Dialogue. From there, teams move through a guided experience:
- Plan — Work with expert faculty mentors to design a focused, actionable strategy
- Connect — Collaborate with peer institutions in a shared learning community
- Implement — Launch and scale dialogue initiatives on your campus
During implementation, Crossing Borders Global provides:
- Facilitator training for faculty, staff, and students
- Support for a pilot dialogue program (100–200 students)
- Access to a curated media library of dialogue and facilitation resources
A Flexible, Strengths-Based Model
Institutions select the character strengths that best align with their mission and context. Existing frameworks can be integrated or adapted to fit this model. Crossing Borders Global’s media library supports dialogue across a wide range of strengths, including:
- Curiosity
- Authenticity
- Kindness
- Courage
- Humility
- Social Intelligence
- Perspective
- Love
- Perseverance
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Active Hope
Join the Character Corps
AAC&U and Crossing Borders Global are actively seeking funding to expand access and make this opportunity available to a diverse range of institutions.
Interested in bringing Character Corps to your campus? Contact us to learn more about participation, upcoming cohorts, and funding opportunities.