Aware of its close historical ties with the immediate community, the University of Mary seeks to enhance the quality of life of the community. The University encourages each person to participate in his or her religious, social, educational, and political communities. Furthermore, it promotes a setting of freedom and initiative in which each individual may attain self-identity and self-realization.

That same setting makes the University of Mary open to change. Through its continued search for innovative and experimental approaches to learning, the University seeks personalized and relevant education for all students including those with special needs, whether these be economic, cultural, racial, religious, or personal. All students are encouraged to seek the truth, to see themselves as whole and unique individuals responsible to God and to become leaders in the service of truth.

Each student's responsibility for the progress of society is the development of individual leadership qualities - self-direction, self-initiative, and self-actualization - to become a decision maker, problem solver and change agent to others.

Christian, Catholic and Benedictine, the University of Mary promotes:

• a Christian community with a full liturgical life on campus
• religious and humanistic values both in and out of classes
• service to the community through activities and participation of individuals and groups

Responding to the needs of the local community, the University of Mary offers:

• courses in continuing education to area citizens
• cultural events and opportunity to participate in community cultural enrichment
• a stimulating academic community that promotes growth in itself and the local population

In support of the surrounding religious, social, educational, and political communities, the University of Mary provides:

• an opportunity for exchange among students, faculty, and staff on the social, academic, and governing levels of the University
• community related activities in a university setting

Ever open to change, the University of Mary continues:

• its incorporation of Benedictine values (hospitality, community, respect for persons, prayer, moderation, service) in university curriculum, instruction, and student life experience
• its curricular integration of the liberal arts and professional preparation
• its offerings of independent studies for qualified students
• its commitment to graduate study in Nursing, Management, Education, and Physical Therapy
• its search for new methods, programs, and ways to deliver programs that meet the needs of students and the community
• the 4-4-1 calendar, which provides May Term learning opportunities to meet individual needs, including travel and internships

Committed to students with special needs, the University of Mary not only accepts, but actively seeks:

• students from a wide variety of social, cultural, and religious backgrounds, regardless of age
• students whose background requires more individualized teaching and/or counseling than is necessary for the average student
• students from low income and ethnic minority families

In its search for truth and its commitment to develop the whole person, the University of Mary aims to prepare its graduates in the following eight areas of competence:

• Communicating
• Effective thinking
• Valuing
• Aesthetics
• Social environment
• Natural environment
• Professional development
• Information Literacy

For a student to acquire proficiency in these competencies, an atmosphere of openness and free inquiry is promoted by the University. This atmosphere enables each person, through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities, to explore the truth in its multiple facets. To develop leadership through the life experiences of its students, the University of Mary makes available and encourages:

• May term experiences of special interest
• student participation in the University's decision-making process
• student involvement in professional organizations, service organizations, and special interest clubs
• student volunteering in the Student Volunteer Program to provide service in campus, local, regional, and global communities