WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

Criterion 1: Mission and Integrity
The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its
mission through structures and processes that involve the board,
administration, faculty, staff, and students.
Core Component 1a: The organization’s mission documents are clear and
articulate publicly the organization’s commitments.
Mission Statements
Western Community College Area’s Board of Governors has adopted statements of philosophy
and vision, role and mission, and educational purposes that together broadly define the
organization’s mission. The institution’s mission is communicated both internally and externally via
the College’s website, catalog, promotional materials, policy and procedure manuals, and other
documents. Various academic departments and campus groups also promote the institution’s core
beliefs via a reiteration of the main mission or through statements which reflect and reinforce
WNCC’s philosophy. The mission is crucial to decision-making, goal–setting, and working with
constituents. It serves to focus committees and councils within the shared governance structure.
The College’s mission, philosophy, and vision statements define the various internal and external
constituencies the organization intends to serve, and they clarify WNCC’s commitment to quality
education and training. The opening paragraph of the mission statement, adopted in 1973, sets
the tone for the institution’s student-centered approach to education:
Western Nebraska Community College shall be a student centered, open access
institution primarily devoted to quality instruction and public service, providing
counseling and other student services intended to promote the success of a
diverse student population, particularly those who have been traditionally
underserved in other educational settings (RR 1).
The Message from the President on the website emphasizes commitment to students as the
primary core of College operations by indicating that “there is no greater mission than equal access
and opportunity for students,” going on to state one of the major tenets of the College’s purpose:
Belief in the inherent right of every person to an opportunity for education commensurate
with the individual’s potential and interest. We offer a comprehensive program, which
includes academic and technical courses as well as general education for transfer to a
baccalaureate-granting institution or preparation for entry to the job market (RR 2).
WNCC’s philosophy, mission, and vision statements are published in the first chapter of the
College Catalog (RR 3). The mission statement appears under the About WNCC website
navigation link. WNCC’s Mission Statement and Philosophy are also available to the general
public primarily in the following documents:
Western Nebraska Community College Page 45