Values and Strategic Vision
The goal of the strategic vision is to maintain the high-quality work the college is currently doing, while stretching ourselves further toward greater excellence.
Vision
Thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all.
Mission
Pursuing a more socially just society through education, scholarship, and engagement. To do this, we:
- conduct groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research that informs policy and practice.
- build partnerships that leverage our resources to improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.
- equip professional social workers with the knowledge and skills to facilitate well-being and equity.
Values
Innovation
Committing to a spirit of continual learning and creativity in education, scholarship, engagement, and administration.
Empathy
Informing action with curiosity and understanding.
Integrity
Exemplifying transparency, accuracy, and the highest standards of professional ethics.
Respect
Recognizing and honoring the dignity, value, and well-being of each person, in all of their identities and interests.
Collaboration
Building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships that empower shared success.
Accountability
Holding ourselves and one other responsible for living into our shared values.
Inclusion
Equipping programs and decision-makers to provide equitable access to opportunities and resources.
The 5 College Commitments
As one of the top public social work programs in the U.S., we’re committed to serving Tennessee and the world through programs that create some of the most effective, ethical practitioners, scholars, and leaders in the field. Our five-part commitments show how we’re working for you.
Commitment One
The UTCSW will offer accessible, high-quality education to prepare ethical, effective, skilled social workers for Tennessee and beyond.
The College of Social Work is committed to providing outstanding training accessible to social work students and practitioners throughout their professional journey. We will continue leading the nation in online education, with instructors who have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to effectively train social work practitioners and scholars.
Commitment Two
The UTCSW will do meaningful research and scholarship that is influential and impacts practice and well-being in the region, state, nation, and globally.
Our scholars support the people of this region, the state of Tennessee, and the nation through engaged research and scholarship. We will disseminate our work widely, and become even more broadly recognized for the important work done in the university, the state, and the profession.
Commitment Three
The UTCSW will maintain high-quality connections to alumni, university partners, and community partners, and foster meaningful collaboration in the work produced by the college.
We maintain vibrant, mutually beneficial connections to UTCSW alumni and community partners through education, networking, and outreach. We partner with scholars and practitioners to enhance our interprofessional and interdisciplinary connections and foster an open, transparent environment with high-quality communication and collaboration across all campuses, research centers, and stakeholders.
Commitment Four
The UTCSW will continue as an anti-racist, equitable, supportive workplace that lives the college’s values through internal and external interactions.
The College strives to be a destination workplace where all faculty and staff thrive and are respected, supported, mentored, and engaged. We are dedicated to being a community of people who work for anti-racism, social justice, and change in the college, the university, the community, the state, and the profession.
Commitment Five
The UTCSW will empower and maintain a culture of collaboration, agility, innovation, and sustainability throughout the college.
The College leadership is dedicated to expanding and diversifying revenue sources, strengthening business services, improving communications within the college, and improving the overall function and structure of the College leadership and administration to meet these commitments.
