Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategic Plan

Vision Statement

Central Michigan University will be nationally known for preparing innovators, learners, and leaders who positively impact their local and global communities.

Mission Statement

Central Michigan University is defined by the success of our students and alumni, and by our collective impact with the communities we serve.

Core Values

To achieve our mission, we adhere to the core values of integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, social responsibility, excellence, and innovation.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, December 2, 2010

Definition of Mission Statement Core Values

Integrity: A steadfast adherence to the principles of honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, transparency, and accountability.
Respect: Consideration of the rights, opinions, and ideas of others in a civil, fair, and thoughtful manner.
Compassion: Empathy, concern and support for the needs and challenges of others.
Inclusiveness: Conducting the activities of the university in a way that embraces shared governance, inspires tolerance, and welcomes diversity into our community.
Social Responsibility: Fostering citizenship to promote the public good, environmental sustainability, global understanding, and informed political engagement.
Excellence: Expectation that all activities are conducted with attention to quality and the highest levels of academic and professional standards.
Innovation: Supporting progressive and meaningful research, creative activity, and teaching, Addressing challenges and issues from multiple perspectives to solve problems and advance knowledge.

Strategic Plan

Inspire Student and Scholarly Success – Prepare bold leaders and learners who innovate and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
Engage Communities – Cultivate and enrich reciprocal partnerships with university stakeholders to ensure a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Enhance Organizational Culture – Raise our national profile as a vibrant and nurturing university community where all members feel valued, empowered to thrive, and experience a strong sense of belonging.
Ensure Institutional Sustainability – Embrace sustainable campus operations that ensure wise stewardship of our resources.

See https://www.cmich.edu/about/university-mission-vision-values/cmu-s-2023-2028-strategic-plan

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, September 28, 2023

The Enduring Philosophy

In its 127 years as an institution of higher learning, Central Michigan University has supported a liberal arts education as the common base for all degree programs. In the words of a founder, “Education in its best and truest sense is a much larger thing than any or even all of the so-called practical uses that may be made of it. Accordingly...the school shall stand squarely and strongly for the larger idea, that education is a rightful heritage of the human soul...Breadth and liberality of scope will always prove the better investment in the long run.”