Monday, November 11, 2024 from 11:00am – 4:30pm
Registration opens at 10:30am. Attendees can participate in-person or virtually.
For the first time, all four of Michigan State University’s Ethics Centers and Ethics Initiative are coming together to host The Professional Ethics Symposium on Monday, November 11, 2024. The centers partnering to host this event together are the Center for Bioethics and Social Justice, the Center for Ethical and Socially Responsible Leadership, the Frank J. Kelley Institute of Ethics and the Legal Profession, and the Ethics Initiative. Together, they will gather a diverse range of professionals, faculty, staff, students, and community members to explore the convergence of leadership, ethics, industry, and professionalism in the workplace.
The symposium will challenge your perspectives and be packed with insights. The event opens with a dynamic keynote speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Matthews of the University of Puget Sound, followed by three panels that will explore: the intersection of ethics, trust, and leadership; managing professional ethics and sustainability as a leader; and balancing transparency, confidentiality, and trust in leadership.
Professional ethics is a vital framework that shapes the workplace and influences the overall culture of the university. Regardless of the field – medicine, business, law, or education – professional ethics fosters accountability, guides decision-making, and ensures the comfort and the welfare of those served. When ethical standards are emphasized and upheld, they create an environment of trust, respect, and integrity. This culture impacts everyone—from students and faculty to administrative staff and the community. Understanding these values and setting clear expectations for behavior and interactions is crucial, as it impacts not only individual careers, but also the broad trust within our community and society.
Jeffrey Matthews, PhD, MBA, is the George F. Jewett Distinguished Professor in the School of Business and Leadership at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He is recipient of multiple teaching and writing awards.
Dr. Matthews has published five books, including Blacksheep Leadership (2012) and Alanson B. Houghton: Ambassador of the New Era (2003). His book The Art of Command: Military.
Leadership from George Washington to Colin Powell (with Harry Laver, 2008, 2017), has been required reading at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College.
In 2019, Dr. Matthews published Colin Powell: Imperfect Patriot and in 2023, Generals and Admirals, Criminal and Crooks: Dishonorable Leadership in the U.S. Military (both with the University of Notre Dame Press).
A former commercial banker, Dr. Matthews was also a founding partner in the Camouflaj VR game studio, which was sold to Meta/Facebook in 2022.
Made up of experts in medicine, business, and law, this panel will explore how ethical considerations in their professions intersect with the heightened expectations placed on leaders in contemporary society. Panelists will discuss real-world scenarios and strategies for maintaining ethical integrity while meeting these demands.
This panel will explore the role of ethics in promoting sustainability within their fields of expertise. Panelists will highlight the importance of ethical decision-making in fostering sustainable outcomes, both within organizations and in broader societal contexts.
This panel will delve into the delicate balance leaders must maintain to foster trust while ensuring appropriate transparency and confidentiality. Experts from diverse fields will share their perspectives and experiences, providing a nuanced understanding of this imperative leadership challenge.
Professional Ethics Symposium | |
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Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
10:30 AM | Registration |
11:00 AM | Introduction of Dean David Souder, PhD by Sriram Narayanan, PhD |
Symposium Welcome by Broad College of Business Dean David Souder | |
Introduction of keynote speaker, Jeffrey Matthews, PhD by Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies | |
11:20 AM | Keynote – Jeffrey Matthews, PhD of the University of Puget Sound |
12:05 PM | Break |
12:20 PM | Lunch Panel – The Intersection of Ethics, Trust, Leadership, and Expectations in Today’s Environment |
1:20 PM | Group Activity |
2:00 PM | Professional Ethics and Sustainability as a Leader Panel |
3:00 PM | Break |
3:15 PM | Navigating the Balance Between Transparency, Confidentiality, and Trust in Leadership Panel |
4:15 PM | Closing Remarks by Bree Holtz, PhD |
4:30 PM | End of Program |