Liberal Education Advancement and Development (LEAD) is an interdisciplinary initiative designed to transform the student experience by integrating High-Impact Practices (HIPs) and character-driven pedagogy across the curriculum. Building on the success of the Great Questions and Liberal Arts Gateway programs, LEAD helps students find deeper meaning in general education courses. By emphasizing active, student-centered learning—such as undergraduate research, service learning, and collaborative projects—we move beyond passive content delivery to empower students who can analyze, articulate, and defend their ideas.

At the core of LEAD is a unified structure of faculty development that bridges disciplines, connecting the liberal arts with fields like science and mathematics. Through robust Communities of Practice and a network of faculty leaders, we support instructors in adopting transformative teaching methods that cultivate essential mindsets—including curiosity, grit, resilience, and intellectual humility. This collaborative environment fosters peer mentorship and innovation, allowing faculty to reinvigorate their teaching and effectively engage students in an era of digital distraction and AI.

Ultimately, LEAD positions the college to deliver a 21st-century liberal education that is not only content-rich but personally transformative. By aligning rigorous academic standards with intentional character education, we ensure that students develop the habits of mind necessary for academic, personal, and career success. LEAD is more than a teaching initiative; it is a scalable commitment to empowering the whole student, ensuring they are equipped to flourish in an increasingly complex world.