Please review the most recent draft of the following statements:
Vision:Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice, and leading with love.
Mission:We are a contemporary Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts and anchored along an international border, advancing academic excellence to create a more hopeful, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Values:We embody this vision and mission through the following six values.
Academic ExcellenceRecognizing free inquiry and academic freedom as fundamental to the Catholic intellectual tradition, we pursue excellence in teaching, research, and creative expression, at the service of local, national, and international communities. Our students receive a holistic education which promotes democratic and global citizenship, ethical leadership, and, through beauty, goodness, and truth, awakens in each a desire to transform the world.
Catholic IdentityAs a Catholic university, we offer a values-based education attentive to the full flourishing of all members of our community. We cherish our Roman Catholic heritage and the institutions which founded USD, the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Diocese of San Diego. Inspired by the Second Vatican Council, we are committed to fostering faith, engaging the world with hope, promoting ecumenical and interfaith respect, and working in solidarity to create justice and peace.
Human Dignity
We believe that a diversity of people, ideas, beliefs, approaches to learning, and other forms of difference are essential for education. We are convinced of the dignity of every person and strive to create a culture of respect and inclusivity. This conviction grounds our efforts to ensure that all students, faculty, staff, and administrators are able to thrive in every dimension of their lives.
Care For Our Common Home
The message of Laudato Si’ frames our care for creation. We acknowledge our location on Kumeyaay land and we embrace our unique placement on the San Diego/Tijuana border, a uniquely biodiverse environment. As an anchor institution, we build reciprocal partnerships with our Indigenous, local, national, and global partners and we integrate environmentally, economically, and socially responsible practices.
Ethical Conduct and Compassionate Service
We value the study of ethics as a distinguishing characteristic of a Catholic university; engage with the imminent social issues of our time in order to enhance the common good; and educate leaders able to discern and commit to pathways that elevate equity and fairness. Convinced of the need for reflection and contemplation to steady us, we serve with compassion, ever conscious of others’ contexts and needs, and pursue education, scholarship and action to create a more hopeful and sustainable world.
Inspired and Meaningful Lives
We are committed to preparing our students to lead inspired and meaningful lives. We work closely with students to expand their capacity to think critically, solve complex problems, use data and technology responsibly, and express informed opinions with courage and conviction. Our graduates are equipped with the preparation necessary to innovate, achieve professional success, and contribute to their communities.
