Georgia Regents OK mission statement for new Albany State University

ATLANTA — The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on Wednesday unanimously approved the mission statement for the new Albany State University.

According to a joint statement released by ASU President Art Dunning and Darton State College Interim President Richard Carvajal, “the Consolidation Implementation Committee (CIC) worked hard to ensure that the mission is inclusive, clear, and raised the bar for the new institution. The mission statement is the first, and most important task to complete, and it forms the basis for the new world-class university we will build together.”

A new mission statement for the combined institutions is consistent with the USG’s other consolidations and is regarded as the initial step in moving the process forward.

The statement continued:

“As you know, the process of crafting this new statement has been highly collaborative. Utilizing a set of guiding principles created by the members of the CIC, an initial draft mission statement was created and revised. This revised draft was distributed to leaders from our two institution’s faculty, staff and student governance groups, senior leadership teams, and University System staff. Utilizing their input, the mission statement was revised yet again, before being sent to the Board for their final approval this morning.

“The new mission statement describes a university that is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. While honoring both institutions’ historical missions, it also challenges us to meet the future needs of higher education in our region and beyond.

“In the coming weeks, the CIC will finalize and adopt other foundational documents that will further tell the story of our collective past and lay the groundwork for our new institution’s future.

We look forward to working with all to build the new Albany State University.”

Below is the New Mission Statement for Consolidated Institution, Albany State University

“Albany State University, a proud member institution of the University System of Georgia, elevates its community and region by offering a broad array of graduate, baccalaureate, associate, and certificate programs at its main campuses in Albany as well as at strategically-placed branch sites and online. Committed to excellence in teaching and learning, the University prepares students to be effective contributors to a globally diverse society, where knowledge and technology create opportunities for personal and professional success.

“ASU respects and builds on the historical roots of its institutional predecessors with its commitment to access and a strong liberal arts heritage that respects diversity in all its forms and gives all students the foundation they need to succeed. Through creative scholarship, research, and public service, the University’s faculty, staff, students, and administrators form strategic alliances internally and externally to promote community and economic development, resulting in an improved quality of life for the citizens of southwest Georgia and beyond.”