Gainesville College - Archived Mission Statement
This mission statement was superseded October 2005. Current mission statement
Gainesville College, a two-year college in the University System of Georgia, offers educational, cultural, and developmental experiences appropriate to the needs of its students and the citizens of Northeast Georgia. The institution, in response to the changing needs of the area and in keeping with its role as a transfer-oriented, two-year college, emphasizes the University System core curriculum in the liberal arts tradition. The College offers academic opportunities in the humanities, the sciences, mathematics, computer science, the social sciences, physical education, and the professional fields of business and health sciences. The institution promotes and maintains a standard of excellence in all of its programs and services.
To accomplish its mission the College has four major goals:
- to offer courses which prepare students to transfer to and participate in baccalaureate and other academic programs successfully;
- to offer courses which enhance the learning skills and knowledge of students who have basic educational deficiencies;
- to offer in cooperation with area technical institutes career programs and courses relevant to employment needs and the interests of students;
- to offer continuing education programs, public service activities, and facilities for people who want to enrich their lives intellectually, socially, culturally, physically, and vocationally.
In support of these goals the institution provides learning assistance services that include both tutoring and computer-assisted instruction, student development programs that complement and enhance classroom activities, financial assistance for eligible students, opportunities for continuous faculty and staff development, and administrative support services. In a host role, the College brings the larger resources of the University System to Northeast Georgia as needed. The extensive and beneficial relationships between the College and the community are highlighted by programs in the fine and performing arts and by a supportive Foundation and an active Alumni Association. The institution systematically assesses its effectiveness in accomplishing its goals and uses the results to improve its programs and services.
Gainesville College, within the context of the University System's mission and vision, shares core characteristics with other two-year colleges in the University System of Georgia. While these colleges all embody the common characteristics presented below, variations in their purposes, histories, traditions, and settings allow each also to focus on its own distinctiveness and accomplishments. These core characteristics include:
- a commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of a local area and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect throughout the region or state;
- a commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, functions to provide University System access for a diverse student body, and promotes a high level of student learning;
- a high quality general education program that supports a variety of well-chosen associate programs and prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate programs, learning support programs designed to insure access and opportunity for a diverse student body, and a limited number of certificate or other career programs to complement neighboring technical institute programs;
- a commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the educational level within the college's scope of influence;
- a commitment to scholarship and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and meet local needs.
Furthermore, Gainesville College, as a member of the University System of Georgia, shares commonalities with all the members of the System. As with the others, campus life at Gainesville College is characterized by:
- a supportive campus climate, necessary services, and leadership and development opportunities, all to educate the whole person and meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff;
- cultural, ethnic, racial, and general diversity in the faculty, staff, and student body, supported by practices and programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic, and global society;
- technology to advance educational purposes, including instructional technology, student support services, and distance learning;
- collaborative relationships with other System institutions, State agencies, local schools and technical institutes, and business and industry, sharing physical, human, information, and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services available to the citizens of Georgia.