We exist to serve students—at whatever age and stage—and provide them with an excellent, well-rounded education and supports that meet their needs, give them access to careers and enhanced upward mobility, and foster their civic engagement and leadership potential.
We make equity-driven decisions, elevating the voices of those who have been underserved, and actively identify and remove systemic barriers that have prevented students of color, first-generation college students, low-income students, adult learners, rural students, and others from accessing and succeeding in higher education. Access and affordability are embedded in our definition of equity.
We depend on higher education to preserve, expand, and transmit knowledge, offer solutions to society’s challenges, serve as a civic partner, and enrich life. Research at our institutions expands understanding and drives innovation and economic development. Learning is enhanced when students participate in research and hands-on experiences. Liberal arts and humanities ensure we support the whole student and better understand the human condition. Institutions are vibrant anchors of communities.
We seamlessly serve the educational and workforce needs of our life long learners across the state’s institutions. We value the diversity of our institutions and programs including public and private, research and regional, four-year and two-year institutions, and credential and certificate programs. We will operate as an aligned and articulated system to meet student and state needs.
We are connected to all parts of the education system, reinforcing relationships so that students have a seamless educational experience independent of where they enter or transfer. We embrace our role in developing the educator workforce.
We see a strong, nimble, and innovative higher education system, including career education, as essential for the state’s talent development, innovation, job creation, and economic growth.