IRISE Virtues Project
A $699,287 grant initiative supported by the Educating Character Initiative funded by a grant from the Lilly Foundation.
What are IRISE virtues?
IRISE Virtues align with the IRISE values of integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, and excellence. The IRISE virtues define what it means to be a Kansas Jayhawk. Our project focuses on IRISE virtues.
Key IRISE Values and Virtues
Upcoming workshop opportunities
For the Spring 2026 semester, the IRISE initiative will be hosting 3 workshops for student organization leaders to network and grow their organization's operations. At the final workshop of the semester, a student leader will be chosen and awarded $1,000 for their student organization.
KU IRISE Workshop InvitationIRISE Next Steps and Resources
Values and Virtues
In the initial phases of our grant proposal, the IRISE values and virtues were established and written out so that a clear intention and purpose in our actions were able to be provided. By understanding each virtue that IRISE focuses on, we can better collaborate and work together to establish their presence at the University of Kansas.
IRISE Virtues Charter wins grant
The IRISE Virtues initiative was developed in 2023 and awarded the present grant in 2025. KU News developed an article on the grant award and discussed the progress of the IRISE initiative. The three-year, $699,287 grant, is entitled “Character Development at KU: The IRISE Virtues Initiative."
Institute for Policy & Social Research
The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) assists in the management of the present grant.
KU IRISE Initiatives Awards
SFL Organization Awards
Two $1,000 awards were awarded to SFL Organizations at this year's 2026 SFL Award Ceremony in April. The two SFL organizations recognized for their involvement and commitment to the IRISE virtues were, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Alpha Delta Pi
Student Organization Workshop Awards
Two $1,000 awards were given to two organizations, the Center for Community Outreach and the Environmental Health Club, who each participated in this 2026 Spring semester IRISE Initiative workshops.
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Join the Community
Get involved in the KU IRISE initiative for your unit, department, class, or student organization. Student programming and workshops, along with modules and course programming are available to encourage the growth of IRISE virtues on campus.
Learn more