Notre Dame Partnership Launches Ethical Leadership Course for Military Spouses

The Military Spouse Advocacy Network has expanded its educational partnership with the University of Notre Dame through the launch of a new online course titled Ethical Leadership with Notre Dame. This initiative follows the successful July introduction of a mental wellness program and represents a significant advancement in supporting military families through specialized leadership development.

The course was developed through collaboration between Notre Dame Learning's Office of Digital Learning and faculty from the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership at the Mendoza College of Business. It addresses critical leadership topics including conflict management, voicing values at work, and honesty and empathy in decision-making, specifically designed to help military spouses become leaders who foster resilient and flourishing communities.

Jessica McManus Warnell, Rex and Alice A. Martin Faculty Director of the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, emphasized the program's tailored approach: "We developed a custom curriculum for military spouses to enhance career readiness and leadership in their organizations and communities. Featuring insights from a dynamic group of faculty experts, including several who are veterans and spouses, our course provides strategies for participants to be powerful agents for positive change."

The program's effectiveness has been demonstrated through the impact of the initial mental wellness course. Donna Armentrout from the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic reported that military spouse learners have had the opportunity to practice mental health conversations and receive immediate feedback from clinical psychology doctoral students under Notre Dame faculty supervision.

This multidisciplinary partnership involves faculty and staff from 10 organizations across Notre Dame, spearheaded by Notre Dame Research with support from multiple university departments including the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs and the College of Arts and Letters. Both non-credit courses are delivered through a mix of asynchronous content and live sessions, making them accessible to military families who often face relocation challenges and career disruptions.

Verenice Castillo, founder, CEO, and president of MSAN, highlighted the partnership's significance: "Their commitment to our military community will empower these dedicated individuals to continue making a profound difference in their lives and communities. Together, we are building an army of strong community leaders, mentors, and advocates." The program directly addresses the unique challenges military spouses face in maintaining career continuity and leadership development despite frequent relocations and military life demands. Additional program details are available at https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org.