Service Excellence Institute

The Service Excellence Institute (SEI) at Campbellsville University is dedicated to equipping students, faculty, and professionals with the mindset, tools, and training to lead through exceptional service. Rooted in faith and academic integrity, the SEI exists to inspire a culture of excellence across all areas of higher education. Join us in building stronger, more resilient communities, one step at a time.

 

Launch of Service Excellence Institute (SEI) 

Campbellsville University is home to well-loved franchises like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, brands known worldwide for their commitment to exceptional service. But what truly sets companies like these, or even organizations such as the Ritz-Carlton and Mercedes-Benz, apart? It’s more than just having great people; it’s about creating systems and practices that ensure every interaction reflects excellence.

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Now, imagine a university dedicated to that same pursuit, one that integrates service excellence into every student’s learning journey, builds partnerships across industries, and helps communities master the art of exceptional service. We’re making that vision a reality.

On Wednesday, November 5, Campbellsville University officially dedicated the Service Excellence Institute. This new institute will inspire us to go beyond kindness and servant leadership; it will equip us to design and teach processes that embody the very best in Christ-like service. We invite you to celebrate with us and join the movement to make Campbellsville University known for Service Excellence.

Together, we’re living out our mission and preparing graduates who are ambassadors of exceptional service in every field.

 

 

 

The Service Excellence Institute cultivates a community of scholars, professionals, and learners committed to delivering exceptional service, promoting meaningful scholarship, and seeking sustainable resources to empower others.

We Create Holistic Initiatives that Generate Opportunities for Communities to Achieve their Fullest Potential  

Led by a committee of accomplished faculty and staff and guided by the wisdom of advisors and affiliated faculty.  such as Dr. Joseph Michelli (New York Times bestselling author, celebrated international speaker, and CU professor), Horst Schulze (President of the Ritz-Carlton and Founder of Capella Hotel Group), Dr. Stephanie Baldwin (VP of Hertz and retired VP of Delta Air Lines), and Dr. Lawrence Lemak (Founder of Lemak Orthopedics and the American Sports Medicine Institute). 

 

Academics and Curriculum

The Service Excellence Institute integrates high-impact learning with real-world relevance. From innovative graduate programs like the Master of Arts in Customer Excellence to the Extra Mile badge initiative, our academic offerings are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to lead through service in any industry. Whether you're pursuing a full degree or a specialized credential, SEI helps you grow as a purpose-driven leader committed to excellence.

Offered in collaboration with Dr. Shane Garrison, this new degree program prepares students for leadership roles in customer-facing organizations through courses focused on service strategy, organizational culture, and operational excellence.

A signature co-curricular experience focused on service leadership, featuring digital badges that recognize student achievement in:

  • Customer Interaction
  • Problem Solving
  • Leadership in Service
  • Empathy and Communication

 

Scholarship

The Service Excellence Institute supports and promotes scholarship that advances the study and practice of service in higher education and beyond. Our faculty and partners contribute to a growing body of work that equips institutions, leaders, and students to foster cultures of excellence.

Larry Spears, CEO of the Spears Servant-Leadership Center and former CEO of the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership, is recognized internationally for his unparalleled scholarship in the domain of servant-leadership. His endorsement of CU's service excellence book is a testament to the SEI's good work on our first writing project. Learn more here. 

 

Featured Publication

Service Excellence in Higher Education: True Stories of Servant Leadership

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This inspiring collection showcases real-life stories of servant leadership from Campbellsville University’s own educational leaders. Rooted in the university’s long-standing commitment to serving others, each chapter shares first-hand experiences and concludes with thoughtful reflection questions. Service Excellence in Higher Education is a powerful example of servant leadership in practice, where the head, hands, and heart work together for the good of others. A must-read for educators, leaders, and anyone passionate about service.

Purchase the book here.

The Authors of Service Excellence in Higher Education

Service Excellence in Higher Education was co-authored by Dr. William Budai, Dr. Joseph Hopkins, Dr. Joseph Michelli, and Dr. Rocky Wallace, leaders in education, customer experience, and servant leadership at Campbellsville University and beyond.

 

“The longer I’ve worked within higher education, the more I’ve realized the importance of planting seeds. This book, lovingly assembled by people who understand that extraordinary learning is rooted in great purpose, is a handbook for how to plant the seeds of service learning. Most of the authors will never see the fruit of their labor, but I suspect that none of them are disturbed by that knowledge. Grab a few vignettes from the book and use them to plant seeds within your own community. Maybe you’ll see the results in your lifetime.”

Andrew Westmoreland, President Emeritus - Samford University Birmingham, Alabama

 

Other Featured Works

Perry Glanzer - Hosted by the Center for Faith and Ministry/Service Excellence Institute at Campbellsville University, September 11, 2025
Dr. Glanzer is well-known in literary circles for his research on Christian colleges and universities/universities and our modeling of faith in the classroom and campus culture. He presented to five groups of faculty, staff, and students during his visit to CU, generating helpful discussions on how to integrate our faith into our work better.  
 
Biography:  Perry L. Glanzer (PhD, University of Southern California) is a professor of educational foundations at Baylor University and a resident scholar with the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of several books, including Christian Higher Education: A Global Reconnaissance, The Idea of a Christian College: A Re-examination for Today's University, Christianity and Moral Identity in Higher Education: Becoming Fully Human, Christianity and Scholarship in Higher Education, and The Quest for Russia's Soul. His primary scholarly and teaching interests pertain to moral education and the relationship between Christianity and education.

 

Calendar of Events

Stay up to date on upcoming events! Check back for more details and announcements on upcoming events. 

 

Partner With Us

Your support helps advance our mission of cultivating a culture of excellence in higher education. We’ll be sharing our giving link soon! We appreciate your support and generosity.

Ways to Get Involved