Our Mission, Vision, and Values
The Mission of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The mission of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is to prepare entrylevel and executive-level administrators and faculty for schools and colleges, and to prepare policy scholars to serve in these organizations and in state, regional, and national policy agencies associated with the educational and human service enterprise. The graduate degree programs in the department are designed to enrich the knowledge, skills and values requisite to effective leadership in educational practice settings. The department views leaders as stewards and servants of organizations; designers of the social and cultural climate in which we do our work; teachers who facilitate human growth and development; change agents who continually examine the effectiveness of their organizations; and conceptual provocateurs who challenge ideas and assumptions on which practice and policy are built.
The Vision of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The vision of the Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies is to be nationally recognized for graduating outstanding, innovative, and courageous leaders and for producing significant educational research that influences policy and practice.
The Core Values of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The effectiveness of leaders at any level and in any setting rests on competence and conscience. Technical knowledge and skill are placed in action at the service of core values, which are premier design instruments for organizational cultures and climates. Honoring these core values promotes leadership effectiveness. Neglecting these values takes clients and organizations in harm’s way and diminishes the promise and performance of those who give voice and meaning to educational organizations. The values upon which all programs are built and which guide the teaching and learning in the department include:
- Civility: Affirming the power of human dignity and diversity.
- Candor: Respecting the power of public forum and the role of debate and dissent.
- Courage: The commitment to act on conviction and link belief to action.
- Responsibility: Accepting care for one’s actions and decisions.
- Compassion: Caring for person and principle.
- Community: Respecting and embracing diversity while developing an agenda of common caring.
- Persistence: Focusing on long-range goals and staying the course in the face of hardship.
- Service: Placing the welfare and promise of others before self.
- Excellence: Calling self, others and organizations to high standards of performance.
- Justice: Ensuring equity in opportunity and recognition.
In addition to the department’s core values, graduate students are also encouraged to review the university’s Principles of Civility & Community. This is accessible via this link.