An after-school program is being hosted by the Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values at Coastal Carolina University for middle-school students to learn about ethics and leadership.

The After-School Ethics and Leadership Academy offers an environment where talented sixth-grade students have the opportunity to develop character and leadership skills by interacting with professors and outstanding college students on the CCU campus.

This year's Leadership Academy is held on Wednesdays through March 5 in the Kline Hospitality Suite at Brooks Stadium. The program hosts 51 students from four local middle schools. Last year, 31 students from three schools participated.

The 2014 program includes students from Conway, Whittemore Park, Loris and Ocean Bay middle schools. Teachers and school principals nominated students who have exhibited leadership potential.

Nils Rauhut, professor of philosophy and director of the Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values, is organizing the academy. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and has been a member of the CCU faculty since 1998.

"We hope the children will come out of the program with a love for college and with the aspiration to become role models for other children in the community," says Rauhut. "We want them to be future leaders and develop the character traits that will help them through life."

The academy was started in 2004 as a summer program by Jackson Center Founding Director Claudia McCollough. Since then, it has developed into the after-school academy offered in the spring semester which attracts more and more students from Horry County middle schools.

For more information, contact Rauhut at 843-349-2547 or nrauhut@coastal.edu.