Mission Statement of Avila University

Avila University is a value-based community of learning, Catholic, co-educational and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In a climate respecting the worth and dignity of each individual, the university provides liberal arts, professional undergraduate and graduate education for students’ responsible life-long contributions to the contemporary world. (adopted 1986-87)

Purposes of Avila University

• Pursue academic excellence by providing an educational experience rooted in the Catholic tradition and in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph, both of which emphasize collaboration, examination of social justice issues, responsiveness to needs of others, and respect for the worth and dignity of each individual.

• Offer liberal arts and professional undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in scholarship with well defined educational outcomes which emphasize communication and thinking skills, knowledge, and personal, social and spiritual development of each student.

• Strive for excellence through responsiveness to on-going assessment, evaluation, and self-reflection.

• Promote student learning by emphasizing teaching-learning strategies which actively engage the student in the learning process.

• Foster development of the whole person for life-long learning and service to the contemporary world through curricular and co-curricular programs.

• Serve a community of learners – primarily from the midwest – with diverse backgrounds and needs by providing a variety of educational formats.

• Address the broader educational needs of the greater Kansas City area by exploring, initiating, and supporting partnerships within the community. (adopted 1996)

Value Statements of Avila University

The Avila Community Values . . .

• Excellence in teaching and learning

• The Catholic identity of the university

• The sponsorship and contributions of the Sisters of St.

Joseph

• The worth, dignity and potential of each human being

• Diversity and its expression

• Commitment to the continual growth of the whole person

• Interaction with and service to others
(adopted 1988)