Student Affairs Mission, Vision, Philosophy and Curriculum

 Student Affairs Mission

Student Affairs is committed to student success at the University of Mary Washington. We create a co-curricular experience in concert with the academic mission that supports each student by challenging individuals to learn, to grow, and to lead. Our activities, opportunities, and services inspire students to identify a life of meaning and to become engaged, responsible global citizen.

 Vision Statement

As educators, Student Affairs professionals are committed to supporting students while constantly setting high expectations for the quality of programs and services.  Student Affairs professionals are passionate about helping students achieve their maximum potential. To this end, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to purposeful, engaging programs and services that advance student learning, growth, and expand opportunities for leadership.  Student Affairs will be the best at what we do – we’ll continue to “raise the bar”  – inciting excellence through creativity, offering support to students throughout the educational process, and ever examining our programs and services to ignite student passion through opportunity.

 Philosophy

Student learning is multifaceted, ever-changing, and dynamic.  It occurs throughout a student’s college career, under various circumstances, through different mediums, and instructors.  Effective learning communities capitalize on the many teachable moments that a collegiate environment presents, keeping the student consistently engaged; ready to accept the potential of learning when it is spurred by interest, circumstance, and curiosity.  One by one, individual learning opportunities are multiplied across the university community, creating a learning ethos where every interaction, every personal encounter, and every program has the capacity to support and enhance a student’s educational experience.

Curriculum

The following Curriculum outlines learning outcomes stemming from our services, programs, and all student interactions.   

SELF-ACTUALIZATION    

Learning that maximizes a student’s abilities and interests.  Occurring throughout the academic journey from first-year through graduation, this component of personal growth and development is comprehensive in nature, stimulating and maintaining one’s life-long interest in learning.  Self-actualization can be achieved through many avenues including: developing competency, higher levels of autonomy, and self-understanding or awareness.

LEADERSHIP      

Learning that promotes the “the art of guidance” in which a student can advance a cause or influence others through passionate intervention, attitude, determination, and intellect.  Leadership is complemented by the understanding and practice of motivation, planning organization, collaboration, delegation, follow-ship, and accountability.  

CITIZENSHIP            

Learning to live in a community in which responsibility, participation, and involvement are fundamental to service as contributing members of society.  Citizenship is complemented by:  honor, ethics, integrity, and social responsibility.     

WELLNESS           

Learning that shapes the wholeness of one’s being including physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual components. As students expand their capacity in each component they are more apt to live healthy, balanced lives. 

CULTURAL AWARENESS           

Learning that develops an awareness of and respect for different cultures, ideologies, socio-economic conditions, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and religions. Cultural awareness is complemented by the pursuit of diversity, inclusivity, and awareness of social justice concerns and issues of privilege. 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS                

Learning that takes place through a student’s ability to interact with others and negotiate complex relationships.  Interpersonal skills are complemented by: effective communication, conflict management, critical thinking, problem-solving, personal ethics, and teamwork. 

GLOBAL AWARENESS 

Learning that expands a student’s perspective of world issues including: political, economic, social, cultural, ethnic, religious, and historical factors.  

“Learning is a complex, holistic multi-centric activity that occurs throughout and across the college experience.”

Learning Reconsidered, (2004, pg.5.)

Reference: Learning Reconsidered 2004