Mission Statement and Guiding Principles
I want to thank the Consolidation Implementation Committee for the work it has done in creating the foundational documents necessary to complete the consolidation process and position our university for success. The 40-member committee, consisting of members from Albany State University and Darton State College, has created documents that address and embrace our heritage and position us as a premier institution providing academic excellence in our 26-county service area, throughout the state of Georgia and around the world.
I am sharing with you (pasted below) a single document that includes the mission statement and guiding principles for the new Albany State University. The history and vision statements will be shared with you as soon as revisions have been completed.
Albany State University
Mission Statement
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.
Albany State University
Guiding Principles
Aspire to Excellence
Albany State University will aspire toward excellence in teaching and learning,
thus becoming the first-choice institution for students from southwest Georgia
and garnering recognition as a premier southern regional university.
Embrace Diversity
As a historically black institution and led by a highly-diverse faculty and staff,
Albany State University will embrace diversity in all its forms – including age, gender
identity, race and ethnicity, country of origin, religion, ability level, sexual orientation,
and veteran status – and seek to foster a similar acceptance and celebration of that
diversity.
Expand Access to Higher Education
As an access institution, Albany State University will promote student success for
all by welcoming students from varying levels of academic preparation, keeping costs
low, offering flexible class times and instructional modalities, and pairing high
student expectations with exceptional mentoring, advising, and tutoring.
Elevate Historically Underserved Populations
Albany State University will recognize and address the many challenges that face
African Americans and other students of color, adult learners, first generation students,
students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and others from underserved populations,
and form strong partnerships with K-12, government agencies,
and community outreach organizations to increase access and success rates.
Promote Economic Development
As part of its commitment to teaching and learning, Albany State University will promote
economic development in Albany and throughout southwest Georgia by engaging in applied
research, aligning its resources in support of identified needs, developing and enhancing
academic programs to meet evolving needs, forming broad strategic partnerships, supplying
a trained workforce, and fostering a sense of entrepreneurship.