Academic Vision Statement

About Nazareth College | Academic Vision Statement | College History | College Mission & Vision Statement

In the Fall of 1999 an Academic Vision Committee was convened to develop a vision that would establish the college's priorities and serve to distinguish Nazareth as an institution on higher education. This committee was composed of members of the faculty, staff, and students.

The following three initiatives were proposed by committee, supported unanimously by vote of the faculty, and were formally adopted by the Board of Trustees on April 16, 1999.

Exceptional Teaching

Nazareth College has embraced the value of exceptional teaching throughout its 78-year history. Exceptional teaching unites teacher, student, and subject, on the journey of intellectual, emotional, social, and ethical development. Upon the recommendation of the Academic Vision Committee, the college supports a Center for Excellence in strengthening and enriching the work of the Nazareth College faculty. The center will assist faculty in strengthening pedagogy and in developing innovative classroom technologies. One of the responsibilities of the center will be to celebrate and recognize outstanding teachers and learners.

Off-campus Learning

It is vitally important for our students to be able to link what they learn in class with the world around them and to make connections between that learning and their own lives. This type of learning has several critical aspects. It is intentional as well as active. It is connected to the curriculum of the college, supporting and challenging each student's classroom learning. It is also reflective, requiring that each student contemplate the relationship between what is happening in this new environment and what they have been learning at Nazareth. And it has clearly defined measurable learning outcomes in order to evaluate its effectiveness. The college, through its Vision, is committed to deepening the opportunities for off-campus learning, whether in the city, in the state, around the country, or internationally.

Inclusive Community

Respect for the dignity of all peoples is an essential part of the college's tradition and mission and its vision for the future. This third priority, along with exceptional teaching and off campus learning, builds on the strength of the past by embracing the goal of hospitality and inclusivity toward all. A statement on respect and diversity was developed and endorsed by the college community. It appears on all publications and is a goal that we are committed to achieving.

While Nazareth College has made significant strides in establishing and sustaining a distinctive sense of community, that work is incomplete. Through our Vision, the College is committed to making the College an even stronger community, as well as a more diverse one.