Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Undergraduate Academic Affairs serves at the heart of a University of Washington where every undergraduate engages in deep and meaningful work and graduates prepared to thrive in a future they help to create.

Mission

Undergraduate Academic Affairs is a catalyst and advocate for excellence and innovation in undergraduate education. We lead programs and services for all students to succeed academically, learn from their challenges, and explore who they are, who they will become, and how they will contribute to their communities and the world. Our work ensures that undergraduate education is strengthened by the UW’s distinctiveness as a major public research university.

Values

Collaboration

Active, intentional partnerships are foundational to our work toward common goals. We engage students to work with others, build off of one another’s strengths, and understand different perspectives. We are committed to working together with students, staff, faculty and the broader community to enrich our collective efforts.

Compassion

Our success as a community depends on creating a culture that promotes the well-being of oneself and others. We value each student’s unique path and offer support as students connect to and engage with our campus. We foster a work environment where care for self and others is woven into the fabric of our community.

Curiosity

Wonder and inquiry are critical components of learning and innovation. We encourage students — in and out of the classroom — to ask genuine and critical questions, to engage humbly and creatively with different perspectives and to think broadly about potential futures. We listen openly, engage in disciplined inquiry and seek opportunities for feedback to inspire our work.

Equity

We believe in a community where all people have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive. We strive to support diverse student populations and advocate for equitable educational experiences. We commit to addressing systemic oppressions, challenging our own individual biases, and working toward transforming our culture, policies and practices to accelerate change.

Integrity

An exemplary educational environment is built on a foundation of mutual respect, honesty and ethical engagement. We encourage students to reflect on their values and explore what it means to act with integrity. We practice honesty, strive for clarity, and hold ourselves accountable to living our values in our work.

Transformative learning

Learning experiences that foster deep reflection and critical inquiry have the potential to create profound growth and change. We create opportunities that push students beyond the familiar to shape their sense of self and develop attitudes and skills that allow them to uniquely contribute to society. We are committed lifelong learners who continuously seek opportunities to grow and better ourselves as people and professionals.