Mission Statement, Core Themes & Community Responsibilities

Our Mission

As an open-access learning institution, Seattle Colleges prepares each student for success in life and work, fostering a diverse, engaged, and dynamic community.

Our Vision

Seattle Colleges is recognized as an exemplary learning institution that transforms lives, promotes equity, and enriches the community.

Our Core Themes

  • Student Achievement
  • Teaching and Learning
  • College Culture and Climate
  • Community Engagement and Partnerships

Our Values

  • Accessibility for all learners and partners
  • Collaboration through open communication and commitment to working together.
  • Diversity, inclusion, and equity for all individuals, particularly the underserved in our community.
  • Fiscal sustainability for long-term viability and excellence in service and operations.
  • Growth and development of faculty and staff through professional development
  • Innovation in instruction, student services, operations, and organizational culture
  • Integrity by adhering to the highest standards of ethics and public stewardship

Our Goals

  • Student Success: The success of our students is the central focus of Seattle Colleges. We strive to make steady gains in improving student satisfaction, retention, completion, job placement, and narrowing student performance gaps.
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community: At Seattle Colleges, we firmly establish equity, diversity, and inclusion as a strategic goal and as human rights for all. We frame our decisions and actions with a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion and are accountable to the community.
  • Organizational Excellence: Seattle Colleges aspires to achieve excellence as Seattle’s open-admission institution of higher education. We seek to achieve continuous improvements in excellence in teaching and learning, operational efficiency and fiscal sustainability, strategic innovation, employee growth and engagement, and diversity and inclusion.  
  • Partnerships: As an important engine of economic development, Seattle Colleges values and invests in strategic and ongoing partnerships with educational, business, governmental, labor, and community organizations.  

Our College Community Responsibilities

  • Treat each other with courtesy and respect
  • Speak civilly and act responsibly with consideration for the rights of others
  • Affirm the value of diversity and promote cultural sensitivity
  • Maintain a safe and welcoming community

Our Commitment to Equity in Action

South Seattle College commits to creating an environment of equity, inclusion and multiculturalism which dismantles all forms of oppression by developing responsive, intentional practices.