Core Values, Mission and Vision
Albright College is deeply committed to our core values, mission and vision, inclusivity and equity, and expression statements. These statements were developed by teams of community members, who used an iterative engagement process to ensure all voices were heard in their development. Statements published here have been endorsed by the Albright Faculty and by the Albright College Board of Trustees.
Albright College Pillars and Core Values
Albright College Institutional Priorities
Albright College’s core values, mission, and vision were developed from the college’s seal. The symbols on the Albright College seal define the very essence of who we are as an institution. Throughout our work and in our planning for the future, we will remain grounded in, and committed to, these symbols and what they represent.
The seal shows an open book, an oil lamp, stacked books, a wreath of laurels, and a Latin phrase. What do these symbols represent?
- The open book at the forefront symbolizes the prime value we place on academic freedom, wherein all forms of knowledge may be pursued with rigor, candor and openness.
- The oil lamp affirms the importance of learning to learn and the significance of a lifelong love of learning, illuminating pathways towards success in life and career.
- The stacked books represent the interdependency of all forms of knowledge. We value the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches to help us envision problems from multiple perspectives, providing more comprehensive ways to solve unscripted challenges.
- The Latin phrase Veritas et Justitia – Truth and Justice – affirms that the search for knowledge should not be separated from the search for wise and just solutions in human affairs and in the stewardship of the natural world. The combination of truth and justice means that, at Albright, we honor, nurture, and celebrate human diversity in all its forms and call into question whatever negates or endangers the dignity and worth of the human spirit.
- The wreath of laurels has historically been awarded to those victorious in competition. The value of victory is in meeting our challenges head-on, and successfully overcoming them.
Albright College Core Values
Core values tell us how we do what we do. Our values define what is important to us as a community and they reflect our culture and guide our interactions. Albright has four pillars, which serve as the thematic ideas organizing its twelve core values.Pillar 1: Integrity
Each of us, in strengthening our own moral principles, has a duty to be honest, respectful, just and fair in our thoughts and actions. In order to hope for the best in others, we must first see it in ourselves.
Core Values:
- Truth & Justice
- Authenticity
- Ethical Engagement
Pillar 2: Curiosity
We value knowledge and a desire to learn new ideas across varied areas of study. Through intellectual engagement and individualized majors, we inspire learners to be informed, reflective and capable of thinking deeply.
Core Values:
- Discovery
- Learning
- Innovation
We value an equitable and inclusive community, comprised of a remarkable diversity of people, backgrounds and thoughts. Through strong, personal relationships, we foster engagement with each other, college programs, the community and the world around us.
Core Values:
- Inclusivity
- Civic Involvement
- Academic Engagement
Pillar 4: Resilience
We value sustainability and attentiveness to personal well-being that together lead to adaptable individuals able to respond to evolving challenges and reach their full potential.
Core Values:
- Sustainability
- Adaptability
- Well-Being
Recommended by the Deep Dive Mission & Vision Team and endorsed by the Deep Dive Steering Team in April 2019. Faculty endorsement in May 2019 and Board of Trustee endorsement June 2019.
Albright College Inclusivity and Equity Statement
RATIONALE
The Latin phrase Veritas et Justitia—Truth and Justice—emblazoned on our college seal affirms that the search for knowledge should not be separate from the search for wise and just solutions in human affairs and in the stewardship of the natural world. Combining Truth with Justice call us to honor, nurture, and celebrate human diversity in all its forms and to reject whatever may negate or endanger the dignity and worth of the human spirit.
AFFIRMATION
Because the vitality of Albright College flows from its diverse membership, we are dedicated to cultivating mutual respect for all community members and maintaining an environment free of discrimination and intimidation. This dedication is rooted in the College’s mission statement and is affirmed by the following values that celebrate human diversity on our campus and in the world around us:
Full Participation: We strive to build an inclusive and equitable academic community in which all community members thrive, recognize their full potential, engage meaningfully in institutional life, and contribute to the flourishing of others.
Inclusivity: Because our differences make us stronger and empower us to better understand and respect one another, the College aims to recruit, house, educate, employ, and support all types of people and to celebrate their diversity including—but not limited to—race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religious or spiritual identity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, marital and parental status, veteran status, political affiliation, and differing abilities.
Equity: Albright College aspires to the parity, advocacy, and flourishing of all persons in our community, especially the most vulnerable amongst us. We are dedicated to creating fair and just policies and procedures in all areas of college life, including admission, education, assessment, financial aid, housing, hiring and employment that promote equity at Albright College. Success in this endeavor means that (a) all community members feel a sense of community membership; (b) the community is inclusive in its provision and distribution of opportunities and resources among its members; (c) the community is inclusive in its creation of opportunities for community members to participate in professional, educational, and co-curricular programs that enrich and grow all members of the community.
Note: The inclusivity paragraph is Albright’s EEO statement.
Endorsed by the Albright College Faculty and Board of Trustees, Sept-Oct 2019
Expression At Albright College
“You can disagree. You can’t disrespect.”
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of Albright College is to provide an academic learning community dedicated to exploring and interpreting knowledge, promoting inquiry and informed argument, and testing theories both new and old. As a private institution, not bound by the same constitutional requirements as public institutions, members elect to become part of this learning community. In so doing, each member accepts a responsibility in supporting the College to realize its core values, mission, and vision and to recognize and respect the personal freedoms to which each member of the community is entitled.
OUR PRACTICE
In our learning community, exposure to a range of ideas with which we may or may not agree is essential to accomplishing the College’s core values, mission, and vision. However, individual expression that encroaches upon the safety or personhood of other community members—such as bullying behavior, hate speech, and any form of communication that carries no meaning or value other than the expression of hatred for any individual based on their perceived association with a particular group or any group of people with a shared commonality—is not welcome at Albright College.
Endorsed by the Albright College Faculty and Board of Trustees, Sept-Oct 2019
Albright College Mission
The mission of Albright College is to provide students with an education that enables them to live their best lives, now and in the future. We immerse students in impactful experiences that foster social mobility and ensure exceptional outcomes through real-world engagement, a supportive community, and a distinctive co-major program rooted in the liberal arts and sciences.
Endorsed by Albright’s Board of Trustees and Faculty Executive Committee, August 2024.