Definitions of Academic Goals

1. Cultural Competence – knowledge, understanding, skills, values, and personal attributes necessary to demonstrate successful engagement in the world.
2. Urban Engagement – the responsible involvement in and commitment to the civic, social, and daily life of metropolitan communities.
3. Spiritual Development – the formation and growth of each individual’s relationship with God and neighbor as fostered through the nurturing of a reflective and conscious maturing of personal faith and commitment to action.
4. Global Engagement – the knowledge and experience of working, learning, and interacting with people from a variety of different cultures.
5. Leadership Development – the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead and work effectively with individuals and groups to effect change in a meaningful way.
6. Reflective Service – experiential learning opportunities combining both academic instruction and service experiences that prepare students for ethically responsible citizenship.
7. Collaborative Scholarship – interactive disciplinary and interdisciplinary engagement of individuals and groups with the intent of discovery. 
8. Open Inquiry –  a systematic approach to analysis and examination that sets aside personal assumptions or preconceived opinions in the exploration of new ideas.
9. Intellectual Challenge – engagement of the cognitive capacity in the synthesis, value judgment, and support of creative reorganization and presentation of facts, concepts, and perceptions.