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Tag: Center for Leadership and Ethics

VMI’s Civil Discourse Initiative Expands

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Virginia Military Institute’s Civil Discourse Initiative (CDI) embodies the idea that a healthy democracy necessitates dialogue, compromise, and trust. VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) started holding debates in 2021, and then partnered with VMI’s Building BRIDGES club in 2022 to grow the opportunities and audiences for the debates. CDI, the name for the program since last year, now offers year-round programming.

The expanding initiative provides a variety of forums for engagement and discussion by using light parliamentary-style Braver Angels debates and A Braver Campus Dialogue (ABCD) workshops to foster a culture of civil discourse and constructive community conversations on important and sometimes controversial topics. These activities encourage listening and public speaking skills and give students more opportunities for rigorous examination of topics through open dialogue. All of these skills align with the mission of VMI to develop leaders and citizen-soldiers.

“Good leaders welcome a variety of viewpoints to help them with decision making,” noted Col. David Gray, executive director of the CLE. “These viewpoints help stress-test and strengthen decisions and strategies. Good leaders are also good listeners and engage effectively with their teams.”

Led by three faculty fellows, Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, professor of economics, Col. Sara Whipple, professor of psychology, and Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, assistant director for programs and conferences at the CLE, CDI began the 2025-26 academic year with the support of the Jackson-Hope Fund via a five-year grant to advance VMI’s emphasis on citizenship and leadership through normalizing and internalizing civil discourse at VMI. Four cadet fellows, Katy Layman ’26, Zach Denton ’27, Josiah Farrell ’28, and Zach Richardson ’28, helped develop, organize, and promote the events to cadets and recruit opening speakers. In addition, four cadet ambassadors helped publicize events.

Activities this past year included the introduction of the solutions-based ABCD workshop to both  local intercollegiate partners, Washington & Lee, Southern Virginia University (SVU), and Mountain Gateway Community College, and the local community. CDI hosted a workshop in September titled, “How Can We Improve Our Local Economy?” that drew 150 participants and introduced local business owners, economic development officials, and concerned citizens to this civil discourse tool. It also facilitated a meaningful intergenerational exchange of ideas and viewpoints.

In December, VMI hosted a public square debate, a collaborative effort between the VA250 Commission, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education, the College Debates and Discourse Alliance, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, and Braver Angels.  It was part of the commission’s Education Steering Committee’s programs for K-12 and college students to make history come alive, spark a civics renaissance, and celebrate democracy. Select students who participated in the debate will be invited to participate in a debate at the State Capitol in October.

A February debate at VMI focused on honor, integrity, and compliance. Additionally, throughout the academic year cadets traveled to related events at the University of Virginia and SVU.

Cadets, faculty, and guests sit around a speaker during a debate in December 2025.
Cadets, faculty, and guests sit around a speaker during a debate in December 2025 in Marshall Hall.
VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.

“This year has been great for CDI, as we have continued to expand the program and connect with even more people,” said Farrell. “The opportunity to engage with students from other colleges at the Democracy360 conference at University of Virginia in a civil discourse setting was a great way to expand my views on issues like voter ID and identity politics. Making connections and conversing with students from other backgrounds has allowed me to take a step back and evaluate my own opinions and ideals.”

The initiative’s efforts to fold civil discourse into the everyday culture of VMI took another step forward when VMI’s committee on academic technology collaborated with CDI to host an ABCD workshop on AI, creativity, and critical thinking. This was attended by a cross-disciplinary group of staff and faculty and included two cadet representatives from the Honor Court.

Smaller monthly “Food for Thought” conversations covered a variety of topics in an informal setting during the lunch period, allowing for more engagement between cadets, faculty, and staff. In addition, a half-day workshop titled, “Cultivating Curious Individuals, Teams, and Organizations,” was offered in March by Dr. Todd Kashdan, author and founder of the Well-Being Lab at George Mason University.

Looking at the next academic year, the initiative has expanded to formally include interdisciplinary faculty and staff partners who have supported and participated in programs over the years. They will receive training to become debate moderators and to incorporate debates and ABCD workshops into the curriculum and other programming.

Cadet ambassador Bianca Marlang ’27 reflected on the impact the program has had on her this past year. “I have learned to keep my bearing amidst hearing views that are the complete opposite from mine… I have since learned to listen for genuine understanding and not listen to respond. It seems small, but I’m very proud of it.” 

A complete listing of all CDI activities from this past academic year can be found on the Center for Leadership and Ethics’ website.

Emerging Leaders Program Fosters VMI Staff Growth

Virginia Military Institute employees are finding ways to grow in their careers and within themselves thanks to a program called Emerging Leaders through the Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE). 

The lecture and seminar series serves as an opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in monthly professional development training.

Col. David Gray, director of the CLE, said the program is aimed at helping people better understand themselves and relate with one another, especially with improving communications with fellow staff and cadets.  

“We want to develop a bench of folks who over the years progressively will take over leadership positions within committees, within the departments, and perhaps within the Institute itself,” Gray said. 

The program’s inception was in 2017. Under General Order 87, VMI has a tiered progressive professional development program for staff, faculty, and classified employees, which consists of three parts: an Institute-dictated core program, departmental and directorate directed opportunities, and individual self-study. 

The Emerging Leaders course covers the following constructs and objectives: 

  • Understanding My Strengths 
  • Communication within the VMI Culture 
  • Meeting Management 
  • Conflict Management 
  • Coaching Techniques 
  • Decision-Making Skills 
  • Finance and Budgeting 

Gray said the Institute runs on three pillars — military, academics, and athletics — that don’t always communicate with one another. 

“This professional development is oriented on threading those together,” he said.  

The seminar series averages about eight to 12 people each session. Those who participate are selected by their department heads, specifically those who could be seen leading in the future, Gray said.  

“What they’re looking at is back to the bench. “Who do I see leading in the future in some capacity? Then try and funnel them.”

Each year the seminar series is a bit different. Gray said there’s research done on how to improve the program with feedback they receive from participants, making it as interactive as possible.  

“I believe we’ve captured the fundamental skills and behaviors that you need to be an effective leader,” Gray said. “This course is really looking to help people in the middle. They’re not brand new, they’ve got some experience, but you need a little bit more to work with your colleagues across the Institute. Hopefully, we give them enough so that they can be more effective in leading.” 

The benefit of this experience is creating leaders the Institute can be proud of through a personalized program. 

“We’re all about developing exceptional leaders. The staff and faculty here are the role models for cadets. This is about education and practice,” Gray said.