Valdosta State University - Mission Statement
Since 1913, Valdosta State University has been a major provider of educational services for south Georgia. The beauty and consistency of its Spanish Mission style of architecture are indicative of its dedication to serving the region's heritage while developing programs and services to enhance its future.
Within the context of the University System's mission and vision, Georgia Southern University and Valdosta State University share core characteristics as regional universities. While these two universities both 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. The core characteristics include:
- a commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of a specific region of the state, and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect even beyond the region;
- a commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom that sustains instructional excellence, serves a diverse and well-prepared student body, promotes high levels of student achievement, offers academic assistance, and provides developmental studies programs for a limited student cohort;
- a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary academic programming at the baccalaureate and masters levels as well as a range of professional programs at the baccalaureate and post baccalaureate levels, including a limited number of professionally-oriented doctoral level 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 university's scope of influence;
- a commitment to scholarly and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to encourage faculty scholarly pursuits, and a commitment to research in selected areas of institutional strength and focused on regional need.
As a regional university in south Georgia, Valdosta State cooperates with other University System institutions to insure that the region receives the services it needs. To expand its programmatic outreach, it develops and offers programs by distance learning and at off-campus locations throughout the region. It will continue to exercise a leadership role in meeting the needs of the region, particularly in providing access to professionally-oriented doctoral programs, primarily in education, and to applied research.
VSU prides itself on offering nationally accredited programs in Art, Business, Music, Nursing, Sports Medicine, Speech and Language Pathology, School Psychology, and Teacher Education which have a magnet effect beyond the institution's primary setting. In its academic credit programming, VSU will place a priority on developing existing programs that aid the educational, economic, cultural, and social advancement of its region and new programs in health related professions and public administration. The programs will continue to be supported by strong preparatory courses and majors in the humanities, sciences, and social studies. VSU also remains committed to pre-professional programs preparing its undergraduate students for medical, legal, technical, and other professional study.
In its service to students, VSU concentrates on those from the region including a large number of older, non-traditional students who live and work off campus and many who transfer from other institutions. To serve its region and to attain maximum educational benefits, the university promotes an atmosphere which attracts a diversified student body, of which a representative proportion will be minority students.
VSU promotes a successful learning experience by maintaining services for minority, disabled, veteran, international, and other students with special needs. To aid in developing the whole student, it provides counseling, health services, academic advising, special assistance, honors programs, international programs, career planning, and many co-curricular activities.
VSU is committed to providing life-long learning and to the economic and cultural development of its region. It offers various non-credit programs and services through the South Georgia Institute, ArtSouth, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, the Music Society, and other organizations. Community relations are enhanced through alumni services and VSU-TV and Radio. Community service and technical assistance are offered by faculty and staff in a variety of forms.
Research, scholarship, and creative endeavors exist primarily to meet the regional needs of schools, businesses, and other organizations, and to promote faculty development and instructional improvement.
VSU aspires to improve continuously the quality of its programs, scholarship, and student services. Assessment of programs, the raising of standards, and the refinement of learning technologies will improve the university. To aid in obtaining this objective, institutional research and planning, external funding, and collaborative relationships with other institutions will be promoted. To a great extent, VSU will continue to develop as a regional university serving its south Georgia constituency by implementing programs that meet student needs and providing the maximum opportunity for faculty development.