Our Mission, Vision and Values

Our Mission

The University of Idaho will shape the future through innovative thinking, community engagement and transformative education.

The University of Idaho is the state’s land-grant research university. From this distinctive origin and identity, we will enhance the scientific, economic, social, legal and cultural assets of our state and develop solutions for complex problems facing our society. We will continue to deliver focused excellence in teaching, research, outreach and engagement in a collaborative environment at our residential main campus in Moscow, regional centers, extension offices and research facilities across Idaho. Consistent with the land-grant ideal, we will ensure that our outreach activities serve the state and strengthen our teaching, scholarly and creative capacities statewide.

Our educational offerings will transform the lives of our students through engaged learning and self-reflection. Our teaching and learning will include undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through face-to-face instruction, technology-enabled delivery and hands-on experience. Our educational programs will strive for excellence and will be enriched by the knowledge, collaboration, diversity and creativity of our faculty, students and staff.

Our Vision

The University of Idaho will expand the institution’s intellectual and economic impact and make higher education relevant and accessible to qualified students of all backgrounds.

Exceptional research universities such as the University of Idaho prepare their students not just with today's knowledge but also with the ability to discover new knowledge, solve novel problems, lead and construct the future. We educate students at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels to meet the needs of Idaho and the world. We improve lives by creating knowledge and impact through our research, scholarship and creative activity.

As Idaho’s land-grant university, U of I will maintain its current leadership in research and engagement with Idaho communities. Putting new knowledge into action requires persistent growth in creating and executing ideas that matter. We will continue to provide leading graduate and professional education including enhanced production of doctoral, masters and professional degrees. The University of Idaho will become a Carnegie R1 (Highest Research Activity) institution known for excellence in our areas of strength and recognized for interdisciplinary research.

U of I will serve any qualified student by providing access to the unique educational experience that a research university affords. The university will enroll a mix of resident and nonresident (including international) students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Our resident students will represent a cross-section of Idaho in ethnic, socioeconomic and demographic terms. Education at U of I is not simply the transmission of knowledge, but is also the preparation for students to become problem solvers and lifelong learners. This is why we augment discipline-specific learning with a strong foundation in the liberal arts.

The university will excel in student success as measured by the transformative educational experience and the achievement of student learning outcomes; and by readily quantifiable measures such as high retention and graduation rates, employment/career outcomes for students, other measures of student engagement and learning to include the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and internal measures. The university will engage and lead across the state in an effort to help Idaho achieve its goal of 60% postsecondary education attainment. To achieve this goal, U of I undergraduate enrollment and graduates will increase 50% over current levels. The university will be a purpose-driven organization, a vibrant intellectual community that attracts, retains and develops great faculty and staff. We will achieve this outcome by using our existing resources effectively, generating additional resources and improving our physical and professional environment.

Our Values

Excellence

Individual commitment to excellence is central to the values we promote. We value the purposeful pursuit of knowledge that improves our communities and prepares us for a lifetime of service. We believe in a culture of leadership and promotion of excellence that passionately educates those seeking knowledge and celebrates success when that knowledge is applied to address societal challenges.

Respect

Central to our productivity and morale is a climate that is considerate and respectful. The University of Idaho is an extensive and diverse community of people from varied backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome the viewpoints and contributions of everyone in our community. We believe that an institution is only as strong as its ability to include diverse perspectives that critically contribute to the University of Idaho’s mission.

Integrity

We believe that adherence to and a shared understanding of ethical principles is necessary for effective collaboration within an educational community. The University of Idaho is committed to internal congruence as well as openness and transparency in decision-making and leadership.

Perseverance

The University of Idaho is a community that is brave and bold in our pursuit of higher aspirations, always pushing to offer the best opportunities and environment for our students, faculty, staff and community. We are confident in our ability to succeed and have demonstrated long-term discipline to achieve our goals.

Sustainability

We embrace our personal and social obligation to ensure the sustainability of our future. For this community, ensuring a sustainable healthy lifestyle is part of a comprehensive desire to acknowledge stewardship of the natural environment to human interactions and well-being.

Our Guiding Principles

Each person at U of I brings their own experiences, their own stories, their own perspectives. Each is valid and adds to the dynamic environment of our public university.

Open communication and the exchange of ideas are foundational to how we engage as Vandals.

The University of Idaho:

• Welcomes and respects all people;
• Supports the free and open exchange of ideas and civil discourse;
• Believes in the unfettered pursuit of knowledge;
• Provides the tools and practice to think critically;
• Affirms democracy and our basic commitments to its fundamental principles;
• Encourages civility in the resolution of conflict, supports peaceful demonstration and condemns violence as a means of expressing beliefs;
• Nurtures an environment for all Vandals to succeed.