Mission

Empowering students and strengthening communities through uncompromising academic excellence and accessible transformative education.

Supporting Statement

At UNK every student matters. Students, faculty and staff feel known, valued and connected. We transform lives and prepare leaders for careers and lives of contribution through accessible, high-quality education grounded in research, service and real-world experience. We nurture innovation, partnerships and career pathways to fuel growth and a thriving future for Nebraska and beyond.

Vision

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a premier regional university and transformative leader in higher education – preparing lifelong learners to thrive in meaningful careers, lead with purpose and strengthen communities. Through research and partnerships, we drive discovery, collaboration, economic vitality and an enhanced quality of life for Nebraska and our region.

Values

At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, our values guide everything we do. We are student-centered, fostering a personalized environment where every student feels known, valued, connected and supported to succeed. We believe in community and collaboration, working alongside faculty, alumni, employers and neighbors to strengthen communities. Through teaching, service, research and engaged learning, we prepare learners to inquire, think critically and creatively, and enrich the student experience with hands-on opportunities inside and outside the classroom. And with a commitment to access, stewardship and regional impact, we deliver affordable education, steward resources with integrity and build pipelines that strengthen Nebraska, fuel state and regional growth and expand opportunity.

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Student-Centered & Supportive
Every student matters. We create a friendly, approachable, personalized environment where students, faculty and staff feel known, valued and connected.
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Community & Collaboration
We thrive as a connected community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, employers and neighbors – working together to strengthen communities. Through these relationships, we prepare graduates who drive growth, innovation and meet workforce needs, creating lasting impact for our state and region.
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Teaching, Service & Engaged Learning
Rooted in the teacher-scholar model, we enrich holistic learning through excellence in teaching, service and scholarship. Inside and outside the classroom we prepare learners to inquire, think critically and creatively. And through hands-on experiences – research, service, internships, study abroad and organizational involvement – we prepare them for careers and lives of lifelong impact.
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Access, Stewardship & Regional Impact
We provide affordable education and responsibly manage resources to ensure a strong return on investment. Our geographic location allows us to uniquely serve students and communities, building pipelines that strengthen the state and region.

NU System and UNK Strategic Priorities

The University of Nebraska’s strategic plan articulates five foundational pillars—starting with students—and offers specific targets against which to measure progress. These priorities are highly relevant in today's environment and will be critical in defining the future of higher education in our state.
  • Extraordinary Teaching and Learning
  • Extraordinary Research and Creative Activity
  • Extraordinary Partnerships and Engagement
  • Extraordinary Culture and Environment
  • Extraordinary Stewardship and Effectiveness
Read More about Each Pillar

Our Mission in Action