CHESS Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

The College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences fosters a vibrant and supportive research culture that values a wide range of methods and interdisciplinary endeavors and addresses critical challenges facing humanity. We are committed to the CHESS Promise of cultivating an intellectually rigorous and high-impact learning environment that serves human, social and environmental well-being. CHESS magnifies the results of its teaching and research through collaboration with internal and external communities of students, alumni and other partners in the region and beyond.

Vision

To be an internationally recognized academic community in which the interplay of humanities and sciences informs holistic education, fosters research excellence and promotes the mutual improvement of our communities and the world in which we live.

Values

Holistic Education: CHESS aims to foster holistic and transformative education by engaging students in high-impact learning experiences, including experiential learning and developing important life and career skills that expose them to the Very Important Questions confronting humanity.

Cutting-Edge Research: CHESS strives for transformative and groundbreaking research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, exploration, innovation, publication, creative activities, entrepreneurship and community-engaged endeavors.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: CHESS values and leverages interdisciplinary synergy to enhance teaching and research by drawing on the breadth and depth of its departments, programs and centers.

Community Focus: CHESS serves our region and beyond through alumni, community and local to global partnerships of mutual benefit.

Ethical Commitment: CHESS anchors its activities in a commitment to human, social and environmental well-being.

Culture of Excellence: CHESS fosters a supportive working and learning culture that rewards excellence while striving for the overall well-being of our faculty, staff and students.

Integrity and Transparency: CHESS is committed to fostering a culture of transparency, openness and integrity in all operational, academic and research contexts.