We are a small but growing part of a major national research university. Our particular mission is to provide high quality upper-division, graduate, and continuing professional education to the citizens of the greater Sarasota-Manatee region. We are committed to supporting faculty career development commensurate with the University's research mission. We are engaged in service that is responsive to and advances the cultural, social, and economic well-being of communities at large.

We will give our graduates a competitive advantage by nurturing three sets of skills. First, we will make certain that our graduates are competent in their respective fields of concentration. Second, we will teach them for the general intellectual skills expected of university graduates including, for example, the ability to analyze and evaluate competing ideas and to approach problem solving in a constructive scientific manner. Third, we will strive to nurture attitudes vital to success and to life-long learning. Competence in one's discipline, good critical/analytical skills, and a positive attitude towards problem solving and learning are the three key attributes of the USF Sarasota-Manatee experience.

Intentional collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators in support of our educational commitment will enhance student learning and our own professional growth and development. This is a major expectation at our campus. We will increase our personal knowledge of what our colleagues are doing. Collaboration will promote teamwork and a unified message as we meet, discuss, and evaluate our campus with internal and external audiences. Collaboration around common goals will promote student learning and development, a stronger awareness of USF Sarasota-Manatee's educational commitment to them and to the community at large.

The campus will collect, study, and retain information about how well we are achieving our educational mission. Faculty and staff will exchange ideas about ways to enhance student learning and staff development on a regular basis. USF will support faculty and staff professional development as a vital part of its team commitment.