Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

Elmhurst University inspires intellectual and personal growth in our students, preparing them for meaningful and ethical contributions to a diverse, global society.

Vision

Elmhurst University aspires to cultivate a community where our students, alumni, faculty and staff lead with innovation, equity and inclusion as they seek to address complex challenges and change for the common good.

Values

Intellectual Excellence

We promote intellectual freedom, curiosity and engagement; critical and creative inquiry; rigorous debate; innovative thinking and integrity in all endeavors. We ignite a passion for learning.

Professional Preparation

We integrate professional preparation with a rigorous liberal arts foundation that prepares students for a successful, meaningful and fulfilling life.

Community

We build a welcoming community that values and embraces diversity, inclusion and belonging. We achieve this through mutual respect, compassion for others, honest and open communication, and fairness and integrity in all that we do.

Social Responsibility

We respect the dignity of every individual and promote responsible citizenship and civic engagement. We advocate for social justice on local, national and global levels. We act on our social responsibilities and empower others to do the same.

Stewardship

We are stewards of the human, fiscal and physical resources entrusted to us. We are accountable to one another for the quality of our community, the strength of our finances, and the utility and beauty of our campus as a place of intellectual engagement and personal growth. We pursue innovations that respect the environment and foster sustainability in the management of our resources.

Faith, Meaning and Purpose

We are grounded in our individual traditions and those of the United Church of Christ, and are committed to the development of the human spirit in its many forms through dialogue, inquiry and service.

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