Please Respond to the Draft Mission Statement ThoughtExchange by COB Today

Below is a follow-up on the mission statement ThoughtExchange (TE). Once you’ve reviewed the data here, there is another ThoughtExchange below so you can provide your feedback on the draft Mission Statement. Please provide your feedback via the new ThoughtExchange by close of business Monday, October 31.

The mission statement TE drew 111 different thoughts in response the question, “What do you see as the most important work that NOVA does to serve and advance our students and the Commonwealth of Virginia?” And our community also provided almost 2,300 ratings.

I’ve read all of the responses, which align with each other in so many ways and truly capture the passion all of us feel for the work we do. For your information, I’m sharing the six highest-rated thoughts below (with their ratings):

• Access to affordable higher education: College education can lead to better-paying jobs, but it is also important because educated citizens can better participate in our democratic process. (Rating 4.3)
• Provide equitable education for everyone. (Rating 4.2)
• Provide an affordable and accessible means to higher education and continuing education for all who reside in Northern Virginia. As a community college, we should be focused on the community we are here to serve. (Rating 4.2)
• NOVA’s mission is to provide education that is accessible and equitable for every student no matter their background. (Rating 4.1)
• Transform students, empower communities and provide accessible, affordable and quality education for all. Community colleges are life-changing institutions that help people transform their opportunities. In so doing, we also create stronger communities. (Rating 4.1)
• Provide affordable access to higher education (Rating 4.1)

The word cloud below will give you a sense of the most commonly used terms across all thoughts:

As promised in my October 10 Tuesday Topic, I’ve reviewed and revised our current mission statement in light of your comments. My goals were to reflect your input, create a more concise and direct statement, eliminate the confusion between the “principles” articulated in the current mission[*] and NOVA’s separately articulated values and—most importantly—capture the spirit and purpose of the work we do. To that end, I am proposing the following draft revision of our mission statement:

Northern Virginia Community College delivers affordable and equitable access to exceptional higher education, transforming the lives of our students and advancing our community.

This is just a draft—and it needs your feedback, so as before, I am looking for your input through a new ThoughtExchange. This one closes today at 5 p.m., and asks for your response to the following question: “What changes do you suggest to the draft mission statement to capture the spirit and purpose of NOVA directly and concisely?”

Based on your feedback, I’ll provide a revised draft mission statement on Wednesday, November 9. (Remember, we are closed on November 8 for Election Day.)

Thank you, in advance, for participating and sharing your thoughts. Next week, I’ll repeat the same process with NOVA’s current values, based on the responses you’ve shared.

[*] With commitment to the principles of access, opportunity, student success, and excellence, the mission of Northern Virginia Community College is to deliver world-class, in-person and online postsecondary teaching, learning and workforce development to ensure our region and the Commonwealth of Virginia have an educated population and a globally competitive workforce.

Reprinted from Dr. Kress’ Tuesday Topic from Oct. 25, 2022