Mission, Vision & Goals for Humanities and Social Sciences

Mission

Southern Utah University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences equips students to understand their responsibilities and enrich their opportunities in a changing world. HSS programs and courses help to develop the knowledge, skills, habits, and values needed to empower our students as engaged citizens. The College prepares students for life in a democratic society, for success in their careers of choice, and for roles as productive leaders wherever they serve. This is accomplished through superior teaching, providing experiential opportunities, and affording educational activities that promote and encourage critical and creative thinking. Because it is essential to the educational process, the College maintains a community of learners wherein collaboration, civility, respect for all people, and shared governance are cultivated. HSS provides the individual freedom for students to find and follow the passion that will allow them to excel in their careers and within their communities.

Vision

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will contribute to students' intellectual growth. We will cultivate an awareness and an appreciation of career possibilities and aspirations by emphasizing a broad base of knowledge that is essential for professional expertise. Our curriculum promotes critical and interdisciplinary thinking, effective communication skills through writing and oral presentation, creativity, and an interest in thoughtful civic engagement.

Goals

Academic Excellence:

With superior teaching as its centerpiece, academic excellence is the hallmark of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Highly qualified faculty members promote and encourage critical and creative thinking, participative educational experiences, applied research, and a supportive learning community. HSS is committed to an academic environment that encourages students to develop as scholars and citizens. Assessment of quality and continual improvement are hallmarks of the education experience with HSS.

Community and Social Responsibility:

Essential to the educational process is a sense of “community,” wherein collaboration, respect for all people, civility and shared governance are cultivated. The college encourages the discussion and exploration of differing views while recognizing the cherished individual freedom to reach one’s own conclusions. Developing students into productive, responsible citizens and future everyday leaders involves training and instilling ethics and values and the responsibilities one has toward others.

Involvement and Personal Growth:

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences encourages student growth and development by providing opportunities to broaden service, social, and cultural perspectives through campus and community involvement in Internships, Study Abroad, Service Learning, UGRASP, and Honor’s programs. HSS affirms that active participation in extra-curricular activities provides a holistic educational experience and helps prepare students to become responsible, caring members of society.

Strategic Priorities

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will support Southern Utah University's Strategic Priorities by:

Creating innovative programs that address global trends and issues, accommodate traditional and non-traditional students, and respond to workforce trends and opportunities.
Continually integrating contemporary technology into the academic and administrative routines of the College.
Maintaining accreditation in those disciplines that have achieved such status and acquiring accreditation in those programs whose academic standards merit such recognition.
Developing and supporting innovative and effective teaching practices and pedagogical approaches to enrich the student academic experience.
Providing effective academic support, professional development, and co-curricular programs that create opportunities for students to: benefit from the guidance of caring, competent, and visionary professionals; benefit from increased access and affordability; graduate in a timely fashion; be competitive for graduate school programs in their chosen professional fields; participate in increasing supported internships; and learn to communicate effectively with persons from varied backgrounds.
Securing external funds to operate world class programs through a variety of research, grants, and fund-development activities.
Recruiting traditional and non-traditional students whose academic, co-curricular, and other experiences fit well with College of Humanities and Social Sciences programs.
Cultivating a culture of caring that supports students, faculty and staff.
Developing strategic alliances with school systems, community colleges, other four-year institutions, corporate affiliates, local businesses, civic and social organizations, alumni groups, and a variety of other constituencies.
Identifying community resources to support and enrich the student learning experience.
Providing professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and administrators.
Utilizing contemporary communicative strategies and vehicles to market the College's programs.
Employing a participatory style of governance that invites input from faculty, staff, administrators, students in general, and student leadership groups, advisory boards, alumni, parents, community partners, and other constituencies.