Vision, Mission, Strategic Pillars | Palo Alto University

PAU’s Path to Inclusive Excellence: Strategic Plan 2021–2026

Vision

A world in which insight into human behavior improves well-being and contributes to just and inclusive communities.

Mission

Through education, research, and training in psychology and counseling, PAU prepares its students to address pressing and emerging issues that equitably meet the needs of our ever-changing human condition.

Values

PAU’s values have been reaffirmed through lived experience, group discussions, surveys, and focus groups. The five values described below express PAU as an organization that understands its distinctive culture that supports a world in which insight into human behavior improves well-being and contributes to just and inclusive communities.

PAU's Values Defined

Values define an institution’s culture in a way that is distinctive and customized. While many organizations share similar core values, it is the way that the value is lived out and experienced that truly embeds it within the organization’s DNA. Values are not slogans, unrealistic aspirations, or ambitions – they are the authentic expression of an organization’s culture at its best. Like all institutions, PAU doesn’t always live out its values perfectly, but works toward them daily.

Values provide the compass for navigating organizational norms, behavior, decisions and activity; they are tangible expressions of what an organization strives to consistently achieve and express what the organization believes and how people within the organization behave. PAU’s values have been reaffirmed through lived experience, group discussions, surveys and focus groups. The five values described below express PAU as an organization that understands its distinctive culture that supports a world in which insight into human behavior improves well-being and contributes to just and inclusive communities.

Equity & Inclusion

We respect the dignity of each person, embrace respectful discussion that honors the unique contributions of every individual, and work together to actively create a diverse and inclusive community that provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for teaching, learning and working together as valued colleagues.

Community

We work together as a unified community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, board members and volunteers committed to fulfilling PAU’s vision and mission and supporting one another in our mutual success. We prize teamwork, transparency, shared governance, and collaboration above all and find satisfaction in celebrating our accomplishments as a university community.

Excellence & Integrity

We act with integrity in all that we do, striving always to advance the field through a commitment to the highest levels of ethical, academic rigor and professional excellence in our work as individuals, as a university and as a leader in the field. Excellence and integrity require our steadfast commitment to evidence-based research, teaching and practice. We resolve to do our best in every pursuit undertaken individually or collectively, challenging ourselves to the next level of accomplishment, offering and receiving support, training and professional development with a spirit of collaboration, and maintaining a clear institutional focus on PAU’s areas of recognized strength.

Compassion

We act first with compassion in all that we do, leaning into our humanity as we consider our interactions and connections with one another, those we serve and the field that we support. We begin every interaction with recognition of the individual, not the problem to be resolved or issue to be tackled. We strive to work in collaboration and care with one another with kindness and understanding. We care for ourselves to ensure we have the capacity to care for one another.

Innovation

We seek to find and create new pathways for learning, knowledge development, understanding and solutions that propel discovery and foster innovation for the advancement of the field and the well-being of those we serve. We listen and learn from others to develop new concepts and ideas collaboratively. We use technology as an effective and efficient tool to advance our mission.

PAU’s Path to Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan 2021–2026

View Strategic Plan

In developing the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, we addressed solutions to challenges with a resolute commitment to viewing them through the lens of inclusive excellence. To achieve our goals, we asked questions regarding how best to ensure broad and inclusive access, foster respect and appreciation for individual differences, cultivate a climate of belonging, and champion excellence in academic offerings and service to all PAU constituents.

Strategic Pillar 1: Academic Excellence

Prioritize academic excellence as the cornerstone for PAU distinctiveness.

Priority 1: Develop and enhance programs and curriculum.
Priority 2: Invest and advance professional development.
Priority 3: Maintain excellence in psychology and counseling education.

Strategic Pillar 2: Student Success

Enhance the PAU culture for student-centered excellence.

Priority 1: Adopt best practices in providing support services to enhance student success.
Priority 2: Adopt student-centered financial policies and practices.

Strategic Pillar 3: Operational Excellence

Enhance Invest in operational excellence for innovation and high performance.

Priority 1: Strengthen organizational and technological infrastructures.
Priority 2: Improve operational effectiveness and efficiencies, making the best use of all PAU resources.

Strategic Pillar 4: Awareness

Enhance PAU’s regional and national identity and reputation.

Priority 1: Elevate the awareness and reputation of PAU.
Priority 2: Increase and strengthen engagement with key audiences.

Strategic Pillar 5: Financial Strength

Expand resources to support PAU Vision, Mission, and Values.

Priority 1: Assure continued strength of PAU’s financial position by diversifying revenue sources.
Priority 2: Develop and support initiatives that generate sustainable financial growth.

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