Mission, Vision, and Values

1. Student-Centered & Community-Connected
   We foster deep, reciprocal relationships with our students and communities to promote personal growth, academic achievement, and economic prosperity.
   
   Observable Actions:

• Offer flexible scheduling and multiple modalities to meet diverse student needs.
• Provide robust academic advising, counseling, and tutoring services.
• Regularly solicit and act upon feedback to improve services.
• Celebrate student achievements publicly through ceremonies, newsletters, and social media.
• Maintain safe, accessible, and respectful campus spaces.
• Host community events, forums, and cultural celebrations on campus.
• Offer continuing education and workforce training tailored to regional needs.
• Collaborate with local K-12 schools, businesses, and civic organizations.
• Include community members on advisory boards and planning committees.
• Encourage student volunteerism and service learning.

2. Excellence in Education
   We deliver high-quality, transformative educational experiences through innovative programs, exceptional teaching, and commitment to continuous improvement.
   
   Observable Actions:

• Provide ongoing professional development for faculty and staff.
• Design and review programs to meet industry standards and accreditation requirements.
• Integrate emerging technologies and teaching strategies into instruction.
• Track and analyze student outcomes to inform improvements.
• Maintain low student-to-faculty ratios where possible.

3. Innovation and Growth
   We embrace change and creativity as essential to meeting the evolving needs of our students and communities, encouraging life-long learning and leadership.
   
   Observable Actions:

• Develop and launch new programs based on labor market demand and student interest.
• Support pilot projects and new initiatives through internal grants or resources.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving.
• Host innovation challenges or idea-sharing forums.
• Promote leadership development for students and staff.

4. Inclusive and Equitable Access
   We ensure that education is within reach for all by removing barriers, valuing diversity, and advancing equity in all we do.
   
   Observable Actions:

• Offer need-based financial assistance and scholarships.
• Provide accessible facilities and adaptive technologies.
• Engage with underrepresented populations through targeted outreach.
• Train staff on equity, cultural competency, and implicit bias.
• Publish disaggregated data on student access and outcomes.

5. Integrity and Stewardship
   We act with transparency, ethics, and fiscal responsibility in all we do. As diligent stewards of our resources and trust, we make evidence-based decisions that serve students, employees, and the community.
   
   Observable Actions:

• Clearly publish policies, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Conduct internal audits and reviews of programs and processes.
• Require ethics training for all employees.
• Address misconduct promptly and fairly.
• Monitor and report on budget allocations and outcomes.
• Implement sustainability initiatives in operations and curriculum.
• Use data to guide resource allocation and planning.
• Maintain and upgrade facilities to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Seek out and manage grants that align with institutional goals.

Definitions

• Community-Connected – A commitment to reciprocal partnerships with the College’s service region, ensuring that institutional decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of local individuals, organizations, and industries.
• Economic Prosperity – The positive impact of education on individuals’ career outcomes and the broader regional economy. This includes workforce development, job readiness, and supporting local business and industry needs.
• Equity – The commitment to fair treatment, access, and opportunity for all, while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.
• Excellence in Education – The pursuit of high academic standards, rigorous curricula, and continuous innovation in teaching and learning. It reflects a dedication to quality outcomes for students and communities.
• Inclusive Access – The proactive removal of structural, financial, and cultural barriers to ensure equitable participation in education. This includes providing support to historically underserved or marginalized populations.
• Innovation – A mindset that encourages creativity, experimentation, and openness to new ideas. Innovation enables the College to adapt to changing needs and remain a leader in educational practice.
• Integrity – Adherence to ethical principles and transparency in all College practices. It includes accountability, honesty, and consistency in decisions and communications.
• Lifelong Learning – The encouragement and facilitation of continuous personal and professional development across the lifespan. This includes academic, technical, and non-credit programming for all ages.
• Mission – A concise statement describing Shawnee Community College’s core purpose and reason for existence. It articulates whom the College serves, what it does, and the intended impact on students and the broader community. The mission drives decision-making and institutional priorities.
• Observable Actions – Concrete, visible behaviors that illustrate how Shawnee Community College’s values are practiced. These actions provide accountability and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and institutional integrity.
• Personal Growth – The process of individual development fostered through education, leadership opportunities, and student engagement. It includes growth in confidence, skills, civic engagement, and career readiness.
• Prosperity – A state of thriving and well-being, both individually and collectively, that results from access to education, stable employment, personal fulfillment, and community vitality. Prosperity is the condition of flourishing that people strive toward; a state marked by stability, opportunity, and well-being, even if not fully attained.
• Stewardship – Responsible management and allocation of resources, including finances, facilities, and public trust. Stewardship involves making data-informed decisions and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
• Student-Centered – A philosophy that places student learning, development, and success at the heart of institutional planning, services, and instruction. It involves prioritizing student needs, removing barriers, and supporting the whole learner.
• Values – The core principles and beliefs that define the institutional culture of Shawnee Community College. Values serve as the ethical framework for how the College engages with students, employees, and community stakeholders.
• Vision – An aspirational description of what Shawnee Community College seeks to achieve in the future. It inspires progress and unifies efforts by providing a long-term goal for the institution’s growth, innovation, and impact.