NOVA’s Values: Care, Excellence, Inclusion, Integrity and Respect

Today’s topic is NOVA’s values.

Early this year, colleagues from across NOVA volunteered to provide definitions for our recently selected values: care, excellence, inclusion, integrity and respect. Their aim was to identify how these values would and could be recognized in practice at our college. These NOVA value statements capture the importance of each value within our community and its significance to our shared work. I thank all who contributed to this effort.

These definitions will be published to our website and will support our mission and upcoming strategic plan.

Care is demonstrated at NOVA through a culture of compassion where success and well-being are prioritized in our commitment to developing authentic relationships and providing resources to foster a supportive and thriving community.

Excellence is demonstrated at NOVA through our high quality and cutting-edge programs; innovative, talented and experienced faculty and staff; and strong and effective relationships with employer and university partners—all to ensure our students are ready for graduation, transfer and high-demand careers.

Inclusion is demonstrated at NOVA through our intentional commitment to welcoming, supporting and engaging diverse people and perspectives so that a sense of belonging is cultivated throughout our college community.

Integrity is demonstrated at NOVA through adherence to principles and actions that foster accountability, honesty and trustworthiness; commitment to truth and fairness is ensured by ethical, equitable and professional behavior, and prioritizing the needs of students and the community we serve.

Respect is demonstrated at NOVA through treating each other with courtesy and dignity, acknowledging and valuing differing ideas and perspectives, affirming the uniqueness of every individual and being mindful of personal boundaries.