Please read the draft of the 2026-2031 University Mission Statement as presented by the University Strategic Planning Committee. We invite all members of our campus community to provide feedback below in response to the two prompts. The University Strategic Planning Committee will review the feedback before finalizing the University Mission Statement. Opportunities for feedback will also be provided through governance meetings in October 2026.
Draft University Mission Statement
Shippensburg University, a regional public, comprehensive university within Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, provides exemplary undergraduate and graduate education grounded in the liberal and applied arts and sciences in an inclusive environment. We emphasize high-impact experiences that foster intellectual, career, and personal development through academic excellence in innovative teaching, interdisciplinary programs, research, and personalized student opportunities inside and outside the classroom. With a focus on generating knowledge, public service and partnerships, we are committed to accessible, affordable education that positively impacts our communities, world, and future.
Please Provide Feedback to the Draft Mission Statement
Details on University Strategic Planning Committee’s Draft of Our Mission Statement
In our 2019 Middle States review, the MSCHE team suggested that we needed to “review the mission statement in order to more completely define the scope of the institution's purpose…It is not clear from the mission statement which students the institution services or what particular Shippensburg distinctions might draw students to choose the University. The details in the Mission Statement from the 2013 Academic Master Plan may be helpful in this regard.”
In Spring 2026, President Charles Patterson launched a new Strategic Plan Committee 2026-2031 with our first directive to address these concerns with the university’s mission statement.
University Strategic Plan Committee 2026-2031 Members
Co-Chairs: Provost Nicole R. Hill and APSCUF Past President Kimberly Presser
Administrative Support: Brian Johnson
Committee Members: Marsha Bonn, Steve Bucher, Allison Carey, Leslie Folmer Clinton, Jennifer Coons, Victoria Kerr, Sabrina Marschall, George McElwee, Kyle Miller, Stefany Perez/Elena Facey, Manuel Ruiz, Justin Sentz, William Washabaugh, Emily Wojnarski, and Tracy Schoolcraft (ex officio, MSCHE liaison)
University Strategic Planning Committee – Mission Statement Draft Process
Through a series of team meetings, we brainstormed and crafted a new draft mission statement. Based on feedback from Middle States, we knew that the new mission statement would need to be expanded and more specific to our university. The team’s initial brainstorm included the following topics: a public, regional, comprehensive university; liberal arts tradition; career readiness; inclusivity, belonging, and a welcoming environment; excellence and impact; sustainability, affordability, access and opportunity; wellness and well-being; transformative; co-curricular student experience; citizenship and community.
For our next steps as a committee, we framed our discussions with the following questions: Who are we? What do we do? For whom do we do it? Why do we do it? Do stakeholders see themselves in our mission? How does it bring about a strategic advantage? At the conclusion of the committee’s work in spring semester, the draft mission statement detailed above was created.
Next Steps for Shared Governance
Next steps in the process are as follows to ensure campus engagement and feedback:
- Survey members of the university community for feedback. (due October 1)
- Team members visit governance committees for discussion and feedback during the month of October.
- Committee evaluates feedback from stakeholders in October.
- Share back with the campus community the mission statement as revised.
- Begin the next discussion on goals and objectives.
Governance Committee Review and Feedback
In addition to survey feedback, members of the University Strategic Planning Committee will be joining the following governance committee meetings to share the draft mission statement and request feedback. Campus stakeholders will have an opportunity to share feedback through these channels as well.
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APSCUF Rep Council – October 1
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Student Affairs Committee – October 6
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Arts and Sciences College Council – October 15
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Education and Human Services College Council – October 19
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Comprehensive Enrollment Management and Marketing Committee – October 19
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Jones School of Academic Programs and Services Council – October 21
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Grove College of Business College Council – October 23
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SU Foundation Board – October 23
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President’s Cabinet – October 26
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University Forum – October 27
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Council of Chairs and Program Directors – October 29
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Graduate Council – October 30
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Council of Trustees – November 13