NDSU was awarded a $1 million contract with the United States Air Force to continue support of the Quality Enhancement Plan for Air University, a federal institution of higher education in the U.S. Department of the Air Force.

Laura Parson, NDSU assistant professor and Educational and Organizational Leadership program coordinator, is conducting work that involves identification of competencies of ethical leadership and the development of curriculum within Air University’s five-year Quality Enhancement Plan.

The plan focuses on the development of skills based on both conceptual and theoretical concepts and integrates ethical and strategic requirements in the development of leaders. The framework is used to create a deliberate and comprehensive program of study for Air University students.

After identifying competencies of an ethical leader through a surveying process, Parson identified 18 competencies of ethical leadership which were then mapped to current Air University curriculum. The results were three primary focus areas: ethical decision making, empathy and fostering innovation. Parson is now designing curriculum and learning outcomes for engaging Air University students across these competencies.

“Through this U.S. Air Force funding, Dr. Parson’s work with Air University exemplifies how NDSU expertise supports our land-grant mission not only for North Dakota, but for all who serve,” said Colleen Fitzgerald, NDSU vice president of research and creative activity.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.