Three people participate in a panel discussion on a stage, seated in black armchairs. On the left, a woman in black with an orange lanyard listens, while a man in the center gestures as he speaks to a woman in white on the right. A stage monitor sits on the floor in the foreground.

Robert McGrath participating in the opening session for the European Congress of Positive Psychology, Innsbruck Austria, July 2024.

Dedicated to advancing the growth of character both inside and outside the university through innovative assessment strategies and character development programs. 

Character refers to the best parts of ourselves, qualities like kindness, critical thinking, and perseverance. As one of the four centers in the Institute for Character and Leadership at Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Center for Character Development (CCD) is involved in character research, education, assessment, and programs that help individuals, faculty and students, groups, and organizational teams understand, develop, and wisely express the personal character necessary for flourishing leadership, meaningful relationships, personal and communal success, and lives of purpose. CCD works closely with the institute on the development of programming, because we recognize character and integrity are essential to becoming the most effective leaders possible.