2015-2020

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AT SHREVEPORT

INSTITUTIONAL MISSION STATEMENT

WHAT IS IT?• Cornerstone of strategic planning • Objective for existence • Describes what the institution does

WHY DO WE NEED IT?• Guide decisions and operations• Provide a means for assessing success• Communicate our purpose and existence

to our stakeholders • We are required to per SACSCOC

• CR 2.4: The institution has a clearly defined, comprehensive, and published mission statement that is specific to the institution and appropriate for higher education. The mission addresses teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service.

So, it is basically…• what we do; &

• why we do it.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED?

GUIDELINES (BART, C. (1998)) • Keep it simple

• 40 to 70 words—longer than 300 should be avoided • Avoid jargon and confusing terms

• Should be unique• Should really identify who we are as a University

• Should inspire• Challenge the meaning of the words that are used • Employees—”satisfied employees lead to satisfied

customers”—IHE, 2012• Energize people to buy into the University’s goals

• Personal values should be the cornerstone and bedrock

• Identify what stakeholders value

• Focus on the basics • All organizational activities should reinforce the

message in the mission (foster commitment)• e.g., planning, training, recruiting and rewarding

should support, facilitate, and reinforce the mission

• Content should include • Purpose• Identity• Instructional focus • The University’s commitments (e.g., instructional

programming, teaching, research, service, etc.)• Responsibilities

Vision Statement: Our hopes and dreams for the future

SAMPLE UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENTS

University Mission Statement"At McMaster, our purpose is the discovery, communication, and preservation of knowledge. In our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence. We value integrity, quality, and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for learning. We serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and our society.“

University Mission Statement At Mount Saint Vincent University, we are committed to academic excellence, and our passion is a rich and rewarding university experience. We are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge: scholarship, teaching, and intellectual endeavor of the highest quality, and we promote accessibility through flexible learning opportunities and services. We are inspired by our strong tradition of social responsibility and our enduring commitment to the advancement of women. Our people are our foundation and our relationships are built on respect and accountability.

University of Rochester"Learn, Discover, Heal, Create — And Make the World Ever Better.“

Valencia College (A Community College)Valencia provides opportunities for academic, technical and life-long learning in a collaborative culture dedicated to inquiry, results and excellence.

SUSLA’S CURRENT MISSION STATEMENT (299 WORDS)

Southern University at Shreveport Louisiana, an institution within the Southern University A & M System, seeks to provide quality education for its students while being committed to the total community. This institution prepares students for careers in technical and occupational fields; awards certificates, diplomas and associate degrees; and offers courses and programs that are transferable to other colleges and universities. Dedicated to excellence in instruction and community service, this open enrollment institution promotes cultural diversity, provides Developmental and continuing education, and seeks partnerships with business and industry.

To fulfill this mission, SUSLA is committed to:

• Providing university parallel college transfer programs designed to meet the requirements for the lower division of four-year college or university programs.

• Offering one-and two-year career programs designed to meet the demand for technicians, semi-professional workers, and skilled craftsmen for employment in industry, business, specific professions, and government, including associate degrees in art, sciences, applied sciences, as well as certificate programs.

• Providing developmental education designed to prepare individuals for successful completion of occupational-technical curricula or university parallel college transfer curricula.

• Conducting continuing education programs carefully designed to meet the lifelong learning needs of the communities served by the University; continuing education courses are non-credit or for-credit. Non-credit courses can be taken for occupational upgrade, personal satisfaction and enhancement. Credit courses can be used for transfer credit, an associate degree or certificate, occupational upgrade or career change.

• Operating comprehensive student development services such as counseling and advising designed to facilitate educational, vocational, social and personal growth.

• Conducting research of the type appropriate to the institution, especially the development of new and/or enhanced educational programs and offerings based on community needs.

• Providing specialized community service programs that are designed to improve the quality of life and meet identified cultural and educational needs within the institution’s service area.

GROUP WORK

Break into small groups

Review SUSLA’s Mission Statement

Consider the criteria and record group observations• Both strengths and opportunities for

improvement

Elect a recorder

Elect a reporter

ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GIVES THEIR HONEST OPINION – IT’S OKAY TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE

GROUP WORK: REVIEW SUSLA’S MISSION STATEMENT

GUIDELINES (BART, C. (1998)) • Keep it simple

• 40 to 70 words—longer than 300 should be avoided • Avoid jargon and confusing terms

• Should be unique• Should really identify who we are as a University

• Should inspire• Challenge the meaning of the words that are used • Employees—”satisfied employees lead to satisfied

customers”—IHE, 2012• Energize people to buy into the University’s goals

• Personal values should be the cornerstone and bedrock

• Identify what stakeholders value

• Focus on the basics • All organizational activities should reinforce the

message in the mission (foster commitment)• e.g., planning, training, recruiting and rewarding

should support, facilitate, and reinforce the mission

• Content should include • Purpose• Identity• Instructional focus • The University’s commitments (e.g., instructional

programming, teaching, research, service, etc.)• Responsibilities

REPORT GROUP FINDINGS

HISTORICAL REVIEW

PRESENTED BY: JOANN WARREN BROWN

SWOT ANALYSISMISSION, VISION, AND CORE VALUES REVIEW

GROUP WORK

Break into the same small groups

Review the mission statement proposed in the previous strategic planning process

Consider the criteria and record group observations• Both strengths and opportunities for

improvement• Compare proposed statement to the

current mission statement• Identify concrete revisions, if any, that

are needed

ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GIVES THEIR HONEST OPINION – IT’S OKAY TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE

GROUP WORK: REVIEW PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT

GUIDELINES (BART, C. (1998)) • Keep it simple

• 40 to 70 words—longer than 300 should be avoided • Avoid jargon and confusing terms

• Should be unique• Should really identify who we are as a University

• Should inspire• Challenge the meaning of the words that are used • Employees—”satisfied employees lead to satisfied

customers”—IHE, 2012• Energize people to buy into the University’s goals

• Personal values should be the cornerstone and bedrock

• Identify what stakeholders value

• Focus on the basics • All organizational activities should reinforce the

message in the mission (foster commitment)• e.g., planning, training, recruiting and rewarding

should support, facilitate, and reinforce the mission

• Content should include • Purpose• Identity• Instructional focus • The University’s commitments (e.g., instructional

programming, teaching, research, service, etc.)• Responsibilities

REPORT GROUP FINDINGS

GROUP WORK

Break into the same small groups

Draft a mission statement based on observations

GROUP WORK: DRAFT A MISSION STATEMENT

GUIDELINES (BART, C. (1998)) • Keep it simple

• 40 to 70 words—longer than 300 should be avoided • Avoid jargon and confusing terms

• Should be unique• Should really identify who we are as a University

• Should inspire• Challenge the meaning of the words that are used • Employees—”satisfied employees lead to satisfied

customers”—IHE, 2012• Energize people to buy into the University’s goals

• Personal values should be the cornerstone and bedrock

• Identify what stakeholders value

• Focus on the basics • All organizational activities should reinforce the

message in the mission (foster commitment)• e.g., planning, training, recruiting and rewarding

should support, facilitate, and reinforce the mission

• Content should include • Purpose• Identity• Instructional focus • The University’s commitments (e.g., instructional

programming, teaching, research, service, etc.)• Responsibilities

REPORT GROUP FINDINGS

NEXT STEPS

PRESENTED BYMRS. JANICE SNEEDDR. REGINA ROBINSON