At Hallmark University, character development is not just limited to the classroom. While students actively participate in our Character with Distinction program, many people are surprised to learn that our employees are held to the same standard.
Character With Distinction, or CWD, reflects a consistent commitment to integrity, professionalism, accountability, and service. It is about choices and actions that align with our mission and values. And at Hallmark University, that expectation applies to faculty and staff just as much as it does to students.
Being Who We Say We Are
Each year, employees have the opportunity to earn Character with Distinction through demonstrated consistency in character-driven behaviors and events. In 2025 alone, employees achieved:
19 first-time CWD recognitions
11 employees earning two consecutive years
16 earning three consecutive years
Multiple team members reaching four, five, six, seven, eight, and even nine consecutive years
Collectively, these accomplishments represent the equivalent of 225 years of Character with Distinction across our organization with 2025 being the year that we had the most employees earning CWD.
That number tells a powerful story. Character is not treated as a one-time initiative. It is a long-term commitment embraced by the people who serve our students every day.
Why It Matters
When students choose Hallmark University, they are choosing more than a degree program. They are stepping into a culture intentionally built around character and professional excellence.
By holding our employees to the same Character with Distinction standard, we ensure alignment between what we teach and what we model. Our faculty and staff demonstrate daily what integrity, accountability, and leadership look like in action.