Jaron Neal

Program Manager

Educational Outreach and Student Services

Character and Values are essential in higher education. I believe educating students without assisting them on discovering their “why” is detrimental in developing future contributing members of society. Most of my professional career has been involved in coaching, teaching, mentoring, and helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. My “why” has always been youth and students, and helping them develop a deep understanding of values and character.

I want students to recognize how their character affects their decisions and those around them, and how learning about character and values within yourself is a continuous, life-long journey. Principled Innovation (PI) has had an amazing effect on my own personal and professional journey. Since becoming fully immersed in PI, I have become more reflective of how my value and character shows up with my family, friends and professional colleagues. Although there are many definitions of PI, that vary from person-to-person, my simple explanation is that PI is a tool that allows individuals to self-reflect through a very focused lens. Although my experience with PI has been an amazing self-reflective journey, my self-reflection has allowed me to evaluate how I “show up” for others. That reflection, is contagious and causes my peers to have the same considerations, which ultimately leads to a community of peers and colleagues who value themselves and others.