Purpose; Principles; Vision & Mission; & Overarching Strategy

Purpose

At the U, we transform lives through teaching, research, and patient care in service of our community

Principles

EXCELLENCE

Continuous improvement in pursuit of excellence

VALUE

Culture of belonging where everyone should be valued, and everyone should add value

INTEGRITY

Always do the right thing, for the right reason

Vision and Mission

TEACHING

Leading the future of education and preparing STUDENTS to thrive

RESEARCH

World-renowned pioneer for innovative, integrated, and transformational RESEARCH

PATIENT CARE

The region’s destination hub for the highest quality complex PATIENT care

ATHLETICS

Win on the field and in the classroom

Strategy

Mission First, Always – Our Students, Our Patients, Our Research – Driven By Our Faculty and Staff

  • Shape the future of education, equip our students to thrive
  • Pioneer innovative, integrated, transformational research
  • Be the region’s destination for highest quality complex care
  • Positively impact lives through excellence in athletics

Run the U Better

  • Take bold actions to advance the U
  • Continuous improvement in everything we do
  • Drive efficiency in our operations
  • Optimize our financial and physical assets

Own Our Culture – You Are the U

  • Be of service to our mission
  • Strive for continuous improvement
  • Value all individuals

Academic Freedom & Freedom of Speech

Grounding Elements

Academic Freedom & Free Expression

Teaching, Research, Scholarly Debate

Freedom of Speech

Constitutional Amendments 1 & 14

Policies & Rules (Faculty & Staff)

Our Policies & Faculty Manual

(+ Faculty Council Policies)

Professional Standards

Professional Oaths

(e.g., Hippocratic Oath)

Government & Governing Bodies Rules & Regulations

(e.g., DOE, SACSOSC, LCME, NCAA, CSC)

Students

Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook

Student Organization Handbook

Student Policies

Government & Governing Bodies Rules & Regulations

(e.g., DOE, SACSOSC, NCAA, CSC)

Our Purpose & Overarching Strategy

At the U, we transform lives through teaching, research, and patient care in service of our community

Mission First, Always – Our Students, Our Patients, Our Research – Driven By Our Faculty and Staff

  • Shape the future of education, equip our students to thrive
  • Pioneer innovative, integrated, transformational research
  • Be the region’s destination for highest quality complex care
  • Positively impact lives through excellence in athletics

Run the U Better

  • Take bold actions to advance the U
  • Continuous improvement in everything we do
  • Drive efficiency in our operations
  • Optimize our financial and physical assets

Own Our Culture – You Are the U

  • Be of service to our mission
  • Strive for continuous improvement
  • Value all individuals

As of September 2026

Purpose, Values, Key Strategies

At the U, we transform lives through teaching, research, and patient care in service of our community

Core Principles

EXCELLENCE

Continuous improvement in pursuit of excellence

  • Seek and act on feedback from our students, patients, and other stakeholders
  • Deliver results that exceed expectations
  • Develop our talent to advance our mission
  • Encourage teams to innovate and improve

VALUE

Culture of belonging where everyone should be valued, and everyone should add value

  • Every person deserves to be seen and heard
  • Respect all people for who they are
  • Consider varied needs in all decisions
  • Balance well-being with our drive for results

INTEGRITY

Always do the right thing, for the right reason

  • Act consistent with our values
  • Take ownership and accountability for our decisions and the results
  • Practice servant leadership and consider others’ needs above our own
  • Maintain the trust of our community

Mission First, Always

TEACHING

Leading the future of education and preparing STUDENTS to thrive

  • Drive excellence and continuous improvement of our educational core
  • Build leadership position in educational innovation
  • Attract, engage, and ensure the success of world-class students
  • Further enhance our recognized leadership position

RESEARCH

World-renowned pioneer for innovative, integrated, and transformational RESEARCH

  • Become recognized research leader nationally and internationally
  • Attract and ensure success of world-renowned collaborative researchers
  • Develop a strong foundation for integrating research capabilities across the enterprise
  • Pioneer innovative solutions with real-world impact

PATIENT CARE

The region’s destination hub for the highest quality complex PATIENT care

  • Expand our core high-value, complex-care services to transform more patient lives
  • Sustain continuous improvement in patient-facing outcomes
  • Set the stage for growth beyond our core
  • Enhance our impact in our community
  • Further enhance our recognized leadership position nationally and internationally

ATHLETICS

Win on the field and in the classroom

  • Ensure the academic and long-term success of our student athletes
  • Attract top recruits and achieve national athletic recognition
  • Create state-of-the-art athletic programs
  • Increase value delivery to the enterprise and community

Run The U Better

Operational Efficiency & Financial Sustainability

  • Achieve annual operating margin percentile targets
  • Consolidate and optimize enterprise assets, costs, and processes

Own Our Culture – You Are The U

Culture of Belonging & Employer of Choice

  • Attract, retain, and develop top talent
  • Achieve faculty/staff engagement and belonging targets
  • Achieve student engagement and retention targets
  • Strengthen alumni engagement to meet established goals