The six personal values of Dr. Adams are the foundation of the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute (DVALI): Take Responsibility, Be Honest and Dependable, Be Persistent, Preserve Your Options, Never Stop Learning, Love Unconditionally.
From his values the institute strives to engage members of the Drake community in appreciation and practice of leadership development. By creating an exceptional learning environment through strong campus and community partnerships, DVALI programs seek to empower students to recognize themselves as leaders capable of making responsible and positive change for the improvement of the ever-shifting local, national, and global communities.