Mission driven academic practice
Know the mission
A mission provides a focus, a common purpose, and a decision-making strategy for an academic environment. The degree to which the mission is effective depends upon the level of involvement community have in its construction, and familiarity of the mission across the campus community. As a new or potential faculty member, you should take the time to locate and become familiar with the mission, or missions, at the institution.
Know the culture with respect to the mission
The level to which a particular campus and division uses the mission to drive their daily and long range work varies greatly. It is, in part, dependent upon the age of the mission and how new faculty are introduced to it. Therefore, it is important to find out what the cultural norms are on a prospective campus by asking colleagues, exploring the campus website, and by listening carefully to people affiliated with the campus. Whether it is extremely easy or very hard to locate the mission(s) speaks volumes.
Choose projects and endeavors that move the mission forward
There are many opportunities available for new faculty members. Time management is critical because there are expectations about what to accomplish in the first few years on campus. A good mission helps faculty accomplish goals strategically by offering a direction when deciding whether to invest time in an endeavor by asking, “Does this move the mission forward?”
Write your own mission
If you are unable to locate an inspiring mission on a campus, take it upon yourself to write your own. Think about the direction you want to take your teaching, what sorts of programs you want to develop, and the types of interactions you hope to have with students. Think about the research agenda you hope to pursue and the steps needed to get you there. Think about ways you would like to serve the campus and surrounding communities, and a logical pathway to get there. Use these thoughts to put together a brief but pithy statement of those aspirations. Then, each time an opportunity arises ask yourself the question, “Does this move my mission forward?” That way, you are more likely to wisely choose activities to engage in, and you can avoid those activities that sponge up your time without helping you accomplish your professional goals.
CSU System History and Mission
CSU System Mission
This mission was adopted by the CSU Board of Trustees in 1985.
CSU System History, Mission, and Effectiveness
This overview outlines the development of the 23 campus California State University system.
Example CSU Campus Missions
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mission Statement
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
This mission statement was approved January, 2007.
Cal Maritime Academy Mission Statement
California Maritime Academy
This mission statement defines the purposes of the organization since 2004.
Example of a Mission Driven College
College of Education, California State University San Marcos
The College of Education at CSU San Marcos is an example of a mission driven college. At a series of academic retreats in the 1990’s, faculty and staff crafted a statement that embodied their professional commitments. The resulting college mission statement is the first thing you see on the Cal State San Marcos College of Education website, and is placed prominently on each course syllabus. As policies are set, programs are implemented, people are hired, and decisions are made, the group returns to the mission to be certain the changes move the mission forward. Not only has it focused the work of the college immensely, it has also brought together a group of individuals committed to a common purpose.
