The College of Education's mission and vision mirror those of the larger university. Initial programs integrate liberal arts and professional education; advanced programs integrate foundational knowledge with specialized areas of inquiry and practice. Scholarship is developed through continual learning and testing of new ideas, encouraging students to participate in the professional community and advance existing knowledge. Service is developed by emphasis on research and best practice so that these educators may add to the development of increasingly diverse communities in West Michigan and beyond.

Throughout its forty-year history-first as an Institute, then a School, and now as a College of Education-the unit has maintained a commitment to teaching, specifically, to preparing classroom teachers within a strong practitioner emphasis. With the addition of new programs, this commitment was also extended to the preparation of administrators, counselors, curriculum consultants, technology specialists, policy-makers, and numerous other educators. The following statements reflect the mission, vision and values we share within the unit and across the university.

Unit Mission: We develop quality educators to teach, lead, and serve in local and world communities.

Unit Vision: We envision our future as a community of educators who promote teaching excellence, active scholarship, and social responsibility.

Unit Values and Dispositions: Inquiry, Ethics, Collaboration, Decision Making.