Wilmington College Mission, Vision & Values
Mission Statement
The mission of Wilmington College is to educate, inspire and prepare each student for a life of service and success.
To fulfill that mission, Wilmington College provides a high quality undergraduate and graduate educational environment shaped by the traditions of the liberal arts, career preparation and the distinctive practices of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). By offering academic programs, practical experience and co-curricular activities in a variety of settings to students from diverse backgrounds, the College leads students to gain an awareness of the world, to acquire knowledge of career and vocation and to seek truth and social justice.
In keeping with the rich heritage of the liberal arts, the College seeks to educate the whole person – intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual – in ways that foster critical thinking, reflection, the free exchange of ideas, open inquiry, respect for all persons and a desire for lifelong learning. The liberal arts are integrated with career preparation to help students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in a career or further education.
As an academic community, Wilmington College is rooted in historic Quaker values, also known as testimonies, which include integrity, service, stewardship, equality, peace and social justice and respect for all persons. These historic testimonies motivate those who learn and work at the College to make positive contributions to their professions and their communities.
Vision Statement
Wilmington College intends to make significant progress in the next decade toward being a model college that melds the liberal arts and career preparation in order to graduate liberally educated professionals. To move towards this vision, Wilmington will:
- integrate career preparation with the traditions and foundational skills of the liberal arts;
- challenge students to live the historic Quaker testimonies of integrity, service, peace and social justice, stewardship and respect for all persons and to practice them in their communities and workplaces;
- promote every student’s participation in hands-on experiences including internships, community service and international study programs;
- create a caring campus community that embraces civility, respect and trust; and
- demonstrate a commitment to this vision by placing the needs of students at the center of decision-making.
Wilmington College Core Values
The following core values are fundamental to the success of Wilmington College in realizing its mission and vision. These values are inherited from the College's founding faith -- The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), from important traditions of American higher education, and from universally held beliefs that serve to guide the best in human thought and action.
Integrity
This value has been described as the value from which all other values emanate and has importance in this ordered list of values. Integrity as defined by the College community as the fundamental requirement to be fair, honest and ethical in all dealings on campus and requires each of us to assume responsibility for our actions.
Community
This value is defined on campus as the desire to create in partnership a learning and working environment that supports and encourages a shared sense of purpose about the importance and value of broad participation, active engagement, open sharing of information, shared responsibility for decision making, and a culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and growth.
Diversity
This value is purposeful in guiding our willingness to recruit, retain and graduate a student body that reflects the global communities that the College serves and seeks to foster our understanding and appreciation of different people, cultures and ideas.
Excellence
This value requires the College to support and encourage a commitment to the highest standards in all areas of the College’s mission.
Peace & Social Justice
This value comes directly from our Quaker heritage and asks all members of the community to seek non-violent resolution of conflict and just treatment of the world’s resources, both human and physical.
Respect for all Persons
This value is fundamental to the development of a peaceful and just community that values the dignity and worth of all persons.
Service & Civic Engagement
This value seeks to foster all members of the campus community to serve others and to accept individual responsibility for being an engaged and effective citizen.
