Mission & Values
Mission
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø educates women to think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times.
- 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø provides a dynamic liberal arts and sciences curriculum of the highest standards so that students and faculty can realize their full creative and intellectual potential.
- 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø fosters an environment in which women can develop high expectations for themselves as individuals, scholars, professionals and citizens of the world.
- 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø strives to be a just and inclusive community that expects honorable behavior, encourages spiritual inquiry and promotes respectful dialogue across differences.
- 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø prepares students of all genders for success in their professions through graduate programs that emphasize dynamic learning in a diverse community.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, August 2002; reaffirmed by the Board of Trustees, May 2012; revised by the Board of Trustees, May 2024
Values
A Commitment to Women
To a holistic approach to education for women, acknowledging the primacy of intellectual development, with integrating opportunities for physical, social, cultural and spiritual development.
To perspectives within the liberal arts tradition that are particularly significant for women.
A Commitment to Teaching and Learning
- To academic excellence, rigor and creativity that engender the joy of learning.
- To personal interaction between students and faculty with an emphasis on independent study and mentoring.
- To the utilization of wide-ranging pedagogical techniques and technologies.
- To an emphasis on collaborative learning
A Commitment to the Liberal Arts
- To the experience of a broad range of liberal studies disciplines, including the humanities, fine arts, natural and social sciences with significant depth in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary major.
- To the liberal arts as the indispensable foundation for professional life.
A Commitment to an Appreciation of Diverse Cultures
- To curricula reflecting a wide range of original sources and scholarly critiques.
- To a student body and a faculty who bring to 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø the diverse perspectives of their circumstances, cultures and backgrounds.
- To respectful engagement with divergent ideas, philosophies and perspectives from all members of the college community.
- To applied learning opportunities in local and international communities.
A Commitment to a Community that Values Justice, Courage and Integrity
- To encourage the development of a spiritual commitment and a set of values that can serve as sources of vitality, meaning and guidance in the lives of students.
- To support the development of leadership skills and community service experiences needed to become effective contributors to one's family, profession and to society and world citizenship.
Endorsed by the faculty, April 1995; affirmed by the Board of Trustees, August 2002