CLI Current Awards

The Center for Practical Ethics and the Lott Leadership Institute are delighted to announce the CLI Stewards professional development program for academic year 2026-2027. All expenses related to the fellowship are fully covered by the grant and generous funding from the Office of the Chancellor. Selected staff will join a cohort of others from across campus for a year-long professional development program on virtue, character, and leadership. In addition to networking and professional development, this award provides funding for all program materials, luncheons, lectures, workshops, and registration for CLI program events. The year-long collection of programming (estimated 20 hours, which occurs primarily during the lunch hour, late in the day, or after work hours) includes:

Fall Semester 2026

·      Pre-Semester Workshop: UM Creed, Exemplars, and the Moral Virtues

·      Luncheon Presentation: Civic Virtues and the UM Creed

·      Luncheon Presentation: Intellectual Virtues and the UM Creed

·      Luncheon Presentation: Opportunities for Leadership

·      Film Screening: The Philosopher Kings

Spring Semester 2027

·      Pre-Semester Workshop: Conflict Resolution

·      Speaker: Developing Character as Professionals

·      Reading Group: The Excellent Mind: Intellectual Virtues for Everyday Life

·      Luncheon Presentation: Interpersonal Dynamics

·      Speaker: Nathan King on The Excellent Mind: Intellectual Virtues for Everyday Life

·      CLI Community Luncheon (all cohorts and awardees from 2025-2027)

CLI Stewards will receive a copy of The Excellent Mind: Intellectual Virtues for Everyday Life and establish supportive networks through a reading group on King’s book and regular events and meetings with the cohort.

Applicants will need to communicate with their direct supervisor about the opportunity and schedule (see the CLI Stewards Schedule of Events), and secure the supervisor’s support for the application. The Supervisor Form can be completed online and by the supervisor themselves (suggestion: email your supervisor the link), or can be printed, filled out, scanned, and uploaded as part of the staff member’s application.

This professional development opportunity is open to all staff categories (e.g., exempt, hourly, and administrative), and staff and supervisors from the same unit are welcome to apply. There is no restriction on—and indeed, we welcome—multiple individuals from the same unit, but all applicants must have a letter for support from their direct supervisor. Previous CLI Exemplar Award, Community Award, and Vision Award winners are especially encouraged to apply. Staff who complete the year-long programming are eligible to receive a LinkedIn badge from the Character of Leaders Initiative at UM, and the opportunity to take specific courses linked to the CLI in future years.

Application Deadline: May 29th

Notification: June 15th

Materials and details about the pre-semester workshop (the first event of the 2026-2027 academic year) will be distributed to all fellowship recipients after July 1. Click HERE or via the button below to fill out the application to join this campus-wide initiative on the UM Creed, character, and leadership! For questions or more information, please contact ethics@olemiss.edu