Our Shared Values

EQUITY:

We ensure in words and actions that our work is centered on promoting equity, inclusion and social justice. We strive to create education, health and social systems that are culturally responsive, accessible and relevant to diverse and underserved communities.

EXCELLENCE:

We are uncompromising in striving for excellence in all we do. We are committed to evaluation and continuous improvement to ensure that our teaching, research and service to our communities represent the state of the art in the field.

INNOVATION:

We promote creativity, challenge the status quo and pursue research and practices that have the promise to improve lives and enhance well-being. We continuously seek new ways to advance knowledge and address essential challenges in education and health by promoting collaboration in our teaching, research and service.

EMPOWERMENT:

We value, respect and listen to multiple perspectives and invite students, faculty, staff and community partners to use their voices to advance our shared understanding and to direct our collective efforts to improve education and health outcomes.

COMMUNITY CENTERED:

We focus research and programmatic efforts on responding to pressing challenges encountered in the real world. We collaborate authentically with our partners, listen carefully and work to leverage community assets and strengths in addressing problems of practice.

BRIDGING RESEARCH TO PRACTICE:

We lead in the development and implementation of evidence-based practices and research-informed decision-making while ensuring that such practices are culturally responsive and informed by community needs and strengths.