Developing a Mission Statement – Operational Units*

Mount Olive College

*information adapted from University of Central Florida

Mission Statement

• Brief (75 words or less) and comprehensive

• It should make sense to someone who knows little or nothing about your unit

• It should rarely need revision and be able to endure changes in leadership

• Leads to the development of outcomes and performance measures

Mission Statement Structure

• The mission of (your office name) is to (your primary purpose) by providing (your primary functions or activities) to (your stakeholders). (Can insert additional clarifying statements, as well)

• The above structure is simply a guide; your mission statement’s organization may vary.

Mission Statement Example (from UCF)

• Who are we?– Name of office, department, or unit

The mission of the Office of Residence Life and Housing

Mission Statement (from UCF)

• What do we do?– Your unit’s primary purpose

The mission of the Office of Residence Life and Housing is to provide quality housing facilities and related services that are reasonably priced, safe, comfortable, well-maintained and staffed by friendly, caring, and efficient people

Mission Statement

• For whom do we do it?– The stakeholders or customers of your unit

The mission of the Office of Residence Life and Housing is to provide quality housing facilities and related services that are reasonably priced, safe, comfortable, well-maintained and staffed by friendly, caring, and efficient people to undergraduate students

Mission Statement• Why do we do it?

– State the purpose of your unit’s primary functions or activities

The mission of the Office of Residence Life and Housing is to provide quality housing facilities and related services that are reasonably priced, safe, comfortable, well-maintained and staffed by friendly, caring, and efficient people to undergraduate students. The department develops and promotes programs and staff interactions that are conducive to student learning, support the University’s academic mission, and encourage individual responsibility within a community setting

Mission StatementWHO

WHAT

FOR WHOM

WHY

The mission of the University of Central Florida Student Union is to provide convenient, high-quality facilities and efficient services to support University programs. The building is the community center of the campus and provides a shared home for the University welcoming students, faculty, alumni, staff, parents, and guests. The Union is both a facility and a program designed to enrich campus life and advance the University’s educational mission.

Mission Statement – Example (from UCF)

• Student Disability Resource Center– The University is noted for its accessibility and

sensitivity to students with disabilities. By providing support services at no cost to students with disabilities, the Student Disability Resource Center offers an opportunity for students with disabilities to achieve their academic and personal goals.

Mission Statement – Example (from UCF)

• Career Center– The Career Center exists to provide advising in

career planning, training in job search techniques, information concerning employment trends, liaison with employers, cooperative education, and on-campus interview opportunities for students and alumni.

Mission Statement - Example

• Office of Institutional Research– Provide accurate, timely, and digestible

information, with the goals of promoting informed decision-making and furthering the mission of the College through an integrated program of research, planning, and assessment.