The focus of utmost importance is on teaching and learning, and encouraging students and faculty members to engage in creative activity, diverse scholarship, applied research, and service and outreach activities that are designed to expand knowledge, improve instruction, increase learning, and provide optimum service to the University and the region.

The University offers an array of undergraduate programs and select graduate programs designed to foster an atmosphere conducive to study, teaching, free exchange of ideas, ethical inquiry, and responsible citizenry.  Essential to fulfilling this commitment is the development of a teaching faculty who excel in their roles as educators, creative scholars, and researchers, thereby benefiting the profession, the university, the region, and society.