Since its origin in 1879, Union College has provided students from throughout Appalachia, and all over the country, with a collegiate experience to ensure lifelong success. Union is grounded by four pillars that define our focus as an academic institution: service to each other and our communities; our Appalachian culture and heritage; our core affiliation with Methodism and the liberal arts academic experience. The four pillars highlight Union’s strengths, values, mission and identity.

MISSION STATEMENT

Union serves the academic needs of a diverse student body in a dynamic, personal environment that promotes intellectual, spiritual, and physical enrichment of our campus community; the economic growth and health of our Appalachian region; and a just society.

VISION

Union College is a nationally known community of learners whose graduates are distinguished contributors to the well-being of the individual, the economy and the environment.

OUR VALUES

CELEBRATION

We celebrate the unique gift each brings to our community and the successes of each person. We look for and recognize promise in others, in ourselves, in our region, and in the world.

INTEGRITY

We strive to do what is right. We promote integrity and collaboration by actively listening, sharing information, and being honest.

RESPONSIBILITY

We take responsibility for our own success and failure and for our role as global citizens.

CIVILITY

We advocate civility in all our interactions. We show respect for each other and hold ourselves and others accountable.

LIFELONG LEARNING

We embrace the love of discovery and foster collaborative, connected, and active lifelong learning.

ENGAGEMENT

We promote leadership and service as civic responsibility. We strive to become servant-leaders. We honor and are active participants in the life of our home region and beyond.

SPIRITUALITY

We encourage the spiritual quest. We challenge each other to discover, intellectually articulate, and embrace a life-affirming spiritual faith and/or philosophy of life.