Villanova University Mission Statement:

Villanova University is an independent coeducational institute of higher learning founded by the Augustinian Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The University is a community of persons of diverse professional, academic, and personal interests who in a spirit of collegiality cooperate to achieve their common goals and objectives in the transmission, the pursuit, and the discovery of knowledge. This community serves society by developing and sustaining an academic environment in which the potentialities of its members may be realized. Villanova is committed to those same high goals and standards of academic integrity and excellence as well as personal and corporate achievement that characterize all worthy institutions of higher learning. As a Catholic institution Villanova both emphasizes the values of the Judaeo-Christian humanistic tradition and concerns itself with all value systems. The University attempts to develop an environment in which students, faculty, and staff may experience a Christian intellectual and moral perspective, believing that the teachings of the Catholic faith are applicable in every area of human activity. Although Villanova functions as an independent institution in the conduct of its own affairs, in matters theological it recognizes its obligations to the Magisterium of the Church. Villanova looks to the Order of Saint Augustine to preserve the University’s Augustinian character through its presence and influence and by providing personnel and financial support. In turn, the University recognizes its special relationship to the Order of Saint Augustine by showing appropriate preference to Augustinians in the initial appointment of faculty and staff.

Given its character and resources, Villanova is committed to offering such undergraduate and graduate programs as will best serve the needs of its constituencies. As a medium-sized comprehensive University, it offers programs in the humanities, in the natural and social sciences, and in professional areas such as business, education, engineering, law, and nursing. The University emphasizes undergraduate instruction and is committed to a liberal arts component in each of its undergraduate programs. In all academic departments, it encourages such research and scholarly work as are compatible with the faculty’s other obligations to the University.

Villanova emphasizes the disciplines of philosophy and theology. Moreover, it seeks to add its influence to the search for world peace and justice by means of both its academic programs and the pastoral ministry it provides for the members of the University community. In like manner, the University has always encouraged and supported its faculty, students, and staff in providing public service to the community. Ultimately, all these programs and support are seen as a means of developing the total person: intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially, and physically.
Villanova attempts to enroll students with diverse social, geographic, economic, and educational backgrounds. Furthermore, in utilizing its financial aid resources to help achieve this diverse student body, Villanova recognizes its responsibility to use part of those resources to assist the economically and educationally disadvantaged.

Villanova welcomes students who consider it desirable to study within the philosophical framework of Christian humanism. Similarly, the University seeks to employ on all levels those who are sympathetic to and supportive of its character and identity. Accordingly, Villanova confidently expects that all students, faculty, administration, and staff will so comport themselves as to assure the continuance and enhancement of the University’s high purposes and its moral and religious traditions. In accomplishing its purposes, the University fully complies with all the requirements of federal and state legislation with respect to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination.
Villanova encourages communication among all the elements of the academic community and operates on a policy that promotes easy access of students to faculty and of students and faculty to administrators. Furthermore, it seeks to involve students, faculty and administrators in the development of University policy through appropriate structures of governance.
Finally, this community seeks to reflect the spirit of Saint Augustine by the cultivation of knowledge, by respect for individual differences and by adherence to the principle that mutual love and respect should animate every aspect of University life.