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Mission, Vision and Values

Mission Statement #

Guided by an authentic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Indiana University School of Social Work is nationally and internationally recognized for educating leaders of tomorrow through community-engaged practice, research, and partnerships to positively impact individuals and society.

Vision #

The Indiana University School of Social Work, across its multiple campuses and online communities, provides a rich array of quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities to prepare graduates for practice and research in an increasingly diverse world. The School contributes to creating a fair, just, and equitable society by educating competent and ethical professionals to address complex social, environmental, and economic challenges on local, state, national, and global levels. Establishing dynamic partnerships, the School enhances the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, leading innovative and translational solutions through community-engaged practice, advocacy, policy, research, and service.

Academic excellence and quality in our practices. #

We live this value by:

  • Leading in progressive curriculum development and standards-based education to strengthen effective teaching and learning.
  • Ensuring curriculum quality through rigorous evaluation.
  • Creating a culture of academic and research excellence that supports systematic, transferable knowledge and skills.
  • Providing educational experiences that equip our students to promote well-being for individuals, families, communities, and organizations.

Our dynamic and diverse community, founded on ethics, inclusivity, transparency, respect, and collaboration. #

We live this value by:

  • Demonstrating equity and inclusion through ethical practice to ensure that all voices are heard, respected, and considered.
  • Practicing collaborative and transparent decision making that engages and responds to all individuals regardless of rank or status.
  • Emphasizing diversity as a critical value in implementing collaborative community-wide system initiatives.
  • Providing educational experiences that equip our students to promote well-being for individuals, families, communities, and organizations.

Engaged, inclusive leadership committed to supporting the School now and in the future. #

We live this value by:

  • Modeling formal and informal leadership through education, scholarship, and service.
  • Fostering engagement and communications within and across our systems with transparency, collaboration, and strong interpersonal relationships.
  • Being stewards of a well-defined and transparent infrastructure to support students and all constituents.
  • Providing educational experiences that equip our students to promote well-being for individuals, families, communities, and organizations.

Our profession and its ideals #

We live this value by:

  • Ensuring the ideals of the profession are apparent in all of our interactions with one another and the community.
  • Engaging meaningfully with our alumni throughout their professional careers.
  • Adhering to the profession’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Technology in social work education and practice.
  • Maintaining the standards of professional practice, including but not limited to, licensure requirements, continuing education, certifications, and professional development.
  • Developing dynamic partnerships and innovative solutions with the community at large.

All faculty and staff and appreciate their contributions to our programs, culture and community #

We live this value by:

  • Supporting faculty and staff by creating multiple pathways for success, recognition, compensation, and opportunities to contribute and grow.
  • Demonstrating a commitment to clear, fair, and effective hiring and retention practices.

Our students #

We live this value by:

  • Demonstrating integrity in the admissions process by welcoming students who are committed to advocating for social justice.
  • Providing quality education that inspires future social work practitioners to be curious lifelong learners that seek best and evidence-based practices for a diverse world.
  • Providing our students with consistent, high-quality principle-based education responsive to emerging social, environmental, and economic needs.
  • Employing an experiential and affective learning platform in class and field education.
  • Seeking and supporting an inclusive and diverse student body by providing fair, transparent, consistent, and efficient recruitment, admissions, and retention processes.
  • Relying on rigorous academic standards, a supportive environment to enhance student wellbeing, and incorporation of student voices during their time at the School.