Leadership & Character | Class of 2025

The Arts of Leading conference, hosted by the Wake Forest Program for Leadership and Character and the Oxford Character Project, looks at how the arts and humanities can inform the theory and practices of leadership

Character at the Center of Leadership

The Program for Leadership and Character helps students think about how to live better. We teach students that leadership is the capacity to inspire, support, and influence others to work toward a shared purpose and that character is the set of virtues that enables us to lead authentic, integrated lives that promote the flourishing of individuals and communities.

Our program uses innovative teaching, creative programming, and cutting-edge research to transform the lives of students, foster an inclusive culture of leadership and character at Wake Forest, and catalyze a broader public conversation that places character at the center of leadership.

Wake Forest awards scholarships to Leadership and Character Scholars. These are students committed to developing their leadership and character at Wake Forest. The Leadership and Character Scholars Program is designed to strengthen students’ sense of community, inform their values and vocation, and prepare them to serve their communities well beyond our campus.

As part of our mission to effect a broader conversation around character-centered leadership, we host conferences in partnership with the Oxford Character Project that feature leaders and scholars in a variety of fields and disciplines. This year’s conference, “Character and the Professions,” included former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell, along with distinguished scholars and practitioners in law, medicine, business, religion, public life, diversity and inclusion, and engineering and technology.

Did You Know?

There are 30 academic classes supported or created by the Program for Leadership and Character during the 2020-21 academic year.

Through innovative teaching, creative programming, and cutting-edge research, the Program for Leadership and Character aims to transform the lives of students.

The Program for Leadership and Character often hosts distinguished leaders who speak about leadership and character in their respective fields.

Wake Forest faculty use groundbreaking research to develop creative, liberal-arts-based programming.

We work with undergraduate and graduate students to pursue and publish research through fellowships, summer internships, and research assistantships with our staff and faculty.

The Leadership and Character program is designed to strengthen students’ sense of community.

What’s Next?

Keep Exploring

Exciting things happen at Wake Forest every day! Check out additional topics to discover your niche and where you’ll leave your mark as a Demon Deacon.

Secure Your Seat

Learn more about how to enroll and make your deposit.

Attend a Virtual Event

The Wake Forest admissions office will be hosting several virtual events in March and April for accepted students.

Connect with Students and Faculty

Start a conversation with a current Wake Forest student or faculty member. Email us at classof2025@wfu.edu, and we’ll make it happen!

Share Your Excitement!

Let everyone know you chose to make the Forest your home by using #WFU25. Then, if you haven’t already, be sure to follow Wake Forest Admissions on Instagram.