The Military Spouse Advocacy Network's partnership with the University of Notre Dame has expanded with the launch of a second online course titled Ethical Leadership with Notre Dame, building on the success of their mental wellness program introduced in July. This 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 reflects the center's mission to inform, equip, and inspire values-based leadership.
The course addresses critical leadership components including conflict management, voicing values in professional settings, and incorporating honesty and empathy into decision-making processes. Designed specifically for military spouses, the program aims to develop leaders who can foster resilient and flourishing communities despite the challenges of military life. Both non-credit courses utilize a blended format of asynchronous content and live sessions, making them accessible to military families who frequently experience relocation and career disruptions.
Jessica McManus Warnell, Rex and Alice A. Martin Faculty Director of the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, emphasized the program's significance in enhancing career readiness and leadership capabilities. The curriculum features insights from faculty experts including several veterans and military spouses, providing participants with practical strategies to become powerful agents for positive change in their organizations and communities. The course includes contributions from Notre Dame faculty members Paul Blaschko, Jim Leady, Drew Marcantonio, and Jim O'Rourke, along with military community members Rose Boyle, Pat Gibbons, Jen Heckel, Amy Spangler, and Erin Stevens.
The program's effectiveness has been demonstrated through the impact of the initial mental wellness course, where military spouse learners practiced mental health conversations and received real-time feedback from clinical psychology doctoral students under Notre Dame faculty supervision. This multidisciplinary partnership involves faculty and staff from 10 organizations across Notre Dame, led 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. For additional program information, visit https://www.leadershipinstituteformilitaryspouses.org.
Verenice Castillo, founder, CEO, and president of MSAN, highlighted how this commitment to the military community empowers dedicated individuals to make profound differences in their lives and communities. The program specifically addresses the unique challenges military spouses face in maintaining career continuity and leadership development despite frequent relocations and military life demands, ultimately building what Castillo describes as an army of strong community leaders, mentors, and advocates.
