Mission & Values

Building On Our Historic Mission

Approved by the Board of Trustees July 21, 2010

Adopted by the University in 2010, Central's mission states: Central Connecticut State University is a community of learners dedicated to teaching and scholarship that emphasizes development and application of knowledge and ideas through research and outreach activities, and prepares students to be thoughtful, responsible, and successful citizens.

As a comprehensive public university, we provide broad access to quality degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. In the spirit of this mission, Changing Lives, Building Communities; Central to Connecticut continues to support Central's community of learners as we strive toward new goals that align the University with 21st-century needs.

Vision Statement

Approved by the Board of Regents April 16, 2020 • Approved by the Faculty Senate Feb 10, 2020

A modern public regional university in ambitious pursuit of knowledge, bold ideas, and innovative partnerships that advance social mobility and drive economic, cultural, and intellectual vitality in the communities we serve.

Elements of Distinctiveness

To accompany its mission, in 2008, Central identified the following as distinctive elements within the Connecticut State University system. These elements will continue to differentiate Central as Connecticut’s oldest public university and are reflected throughout our new strategic planning framework as we look toward the future.

The Center for International Education (CIE) was established as a Statewide Center for Excellence in International Education by the Board of Governors for Higher Education in 1987. Building the international dimension of Central is the overall objective of CIE with a profound commitment to global education. This commitment is met by bringing together faculty, staff, and students throughout the university, and people outside the campus and beyond, who are interested in the teaching, research, and exchange of ideas about the world. CIE works closely with units across campus to internationalize educational programs, research, and training opportunities; and to promote collaborative agreements and faculty exchanges with foreign institutions. CIE comprises three main units:  International Student and Scholar Services, Intensive English Language Program and Study/Course Abroad.

Central is distinctive in its commitment to workforce and state economic development, notably through its emphases in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which directly address the state's workforce needs. New baccalaureate programs in Mechanical Engineering and Nursing, our graduate program in Construction Management, and our Master of Arts in Teaching, which focuses on teacher shortages in math, science, English, and Spanish, as well as a Civil Engineering degree, illustrate Central's distinctive responsiveness to workforce needs.

The Center for Community Engagement & Social Research brings together the important work of community engagement and applied research. Our primary goal is to integrate teaching, research, and service through community engagement. Additionally, we want all students to engage in multiple experiential learning opportunities, for faculty to develop scholarship with a community focus, and for our community to work with us to address their most pressing needs.

Central is distinctive in interdisciplinary studies and cross-curricular initiatives. Central offers students a wide selection of interdisciplinary majors and minors in such fields as African American Studies; African Studies; American Studies; Entrepreneurship; Gerontology; Hospitality and Tourism, International Studies; Peace Studies; and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Central also offers an interdisciplinary Honors Program, and its learning communities program helps students explore connections among disciplines. Central is also promoting cross-curricular initiatives in such areas as community engagement, diversity, international education, and writing.

Central's Core values

Approved by the Faculty Senate Feb 10, 2020

The following is a list of our principal values that distinguish Central from other institutions (in alphabetical order):

Accountability

We commit to holding ourselves and each other Accountable to the highest ethical standards and to fostering a culture of civility, collegiality, and justice.

Collaboration

We commit to Collaboration within the University and the Connecticut State Colleges and University system, as well as with our legislators, industry, and community partners.

Equity

We commit to embrace and strengthen Diversity and Inclusion, providing an enriching and equitable learning environment where every individual is valued, and promoting diversity of people and ideas.

Engagement

We commit to the recognition of the Centrality of Engagement, involving our communities in all aspects of our work.

Excellence

We commit to Excellence in everything we do. We hold ourselves to highest academic and professional standards and focus on continuous improvement.

Innovation

We commit to Innovation and Creativity in our teaching, research, and interdisciplinary approaches to inspire our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Integrity

We commit to Integrity. As stewards of the public trust, we will be honest, ethical, and transparent.

Responsibility

We commit to Social Responsibility to promote the public good and contribute to global understanding.

Responsiveness

We commit to Agility and Responsiveness to address the emerging needs of our region and state and create a sustainable future for the University.

Taking Action

Since its founding in 1849, Central Connecticut State University has advanced and developed to meet the needs of the communities it serves. This ten-year strategic plan consists of five goals, each with specific objectives for achievement.

As a supplement, Central has developed an Action Plan which identifies key activities essential to the accomplishment of each goal and objective. With these collective documents, we will build upon our strengths as a “student success-centered” institution that creates lifelong learners and provides the best opportunities to the next generation of hardworking Connecticut families.

Central Strategic Plan (PDF)

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