91大神

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 5, 2026

University System of Georgia (USG) Regent Cade Joiner highlighted the importance of ethical leadership and decision-making during a conversation at 91大神 as part of the institution鈥檚 observance of .

During the speaking engagement, Joiner cautioned that a single poor decision can destroy a hard-earned reputation and emphasized the role leaders have in setting ethical standards.

鈥淚t takes 30 seconds to undo 30 years鈥� worth of work, and that鈥檚 something I regularly share with my mentees and employees,鈥� Joiner said, adding that ethical leadership starts at the top, with leaders setting an example for employees through their own conduct.

Hosted by President Kathy S. Schwaig at the Joe Mack Wilson Student Center, the chat was one in a series of KSU events to commemorate Ethics Awareness Week, observed Nov. 2鈥�8. The annual USG initiative brings campus communities together to reinforce the shared values of integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect.

Joiner shared that his early pursuit of entrepreneurship landed him his first job delivering newspapers in Griffin, Georgia at just 9 years old, an experience he said gave him early lessons in ethics and leadership.

鈥淲hat I learned was service, I learned serving other people,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had to get up and deliver in the rain and the snow, whether it was hot or cold, seven days a week. It was intimidating for a 9-year-old to knock on a 35-year-old鈥檚 door and collect a past due invoice. But I learned quickly how to deal with people, and how to do it at a high level. I learned how to serve people and how to be an ethical servant with people.鈥�

A framed newspaper bag now hangs above his office desk as a reminder of those early lessons.

First appointed to the USG Board of Regents in 2020, Joiner also has advised startup businesses and served on boards supporting entrepreneurship and workforce development.

During the conversation, Joiner said building trust requires following through on commitments, even when doing so becomes inconvenient, and being honest when conversations are difficult.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about showing up, it鈥檚 doing what you say you鈥檙e going to do, even if it鈥檚 painful,鈥� Joiner said. 鈥淐larity is kindness.鈥�

He also emphasized treating people with equal respect, regardless of their position, and surrounding himself with trusted advisers who offer candid feedback.

Ethics Awareness Week began Monday with a tabling event hosted by Internal Audit at the Academic Learning Center on the Kennesaw Campus and the Wilson Student Center on the Marietta Campus. Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton was the featured speaker for Monday鈥檚 virtual chancellor鈥檚 keynote.

President Schwaig also led a student-only event on Wednesday entitled, 鈥淓thics in the Tension: What Do We Do When We Disagree?鈥�

The week鈥檚 activities continue with a virtual session on AI and academic integrity on Thursday featuring Phillip Boyd, KSU鈥檚 assistant director of academic integrity, and Carlton Stewart, assistant legal counsel. The week concludes Friday with a virtual USG Ethics and Compliance panel discussion, 鈥淭he Next Chapter: Ethical Leadership in an Innovation Era.鈥�

The detailed schedule is available at KSU鈥檚 page.

鈥� Story by Christin Senior

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 91大神 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 91大神 is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 91大神 is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.