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Mission and Core Values

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Rooted in Values, Reaching New Heights

Guilford’s longstanding mission is clear and distinctive: Provide a transformative, practical, and excellent education that produces critical thinkers in an inclusive, diverse environment that is guided by Quaker testimonies of community, equality, integrity, peace, and simplicity and emphasizes the creative problem-solving skills, experience, enthusiasm, and international perspectives necessary to promote positive change in the world. 

Guilford College is grounded in the relentless pursuit of its seven Core Values. These enduring values are the basis of the College’s mission and are guided by the Quaker testimonies. The College was founded by the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1837, and their principles are reflected in the campus culture.

  • Community
  • Diversity
  • Equality
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Justice
  • Stewardship

The campus community identified these values through a participative and inclusive process in 2003. The pursuit of these Core Values is integral to the educational experience we offer, abundantly visible in academic and co-curricular campus life.

The crowd fills the seats in Dana Auditorium as Convocation begins.

Community

We are committed to the cultivation of positive relationships between, and common experiences among, students, faculty, and staff.

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Barbara Lawrence welcomes the audience to the Black History Month kickoff celebration.

Diversity

We are committed to creating an academic institution where a variety of persons and perspectives are welcome. We are committed to providing an environment where students from all cultures and backgrounds may succeed.

Students take part in a discussion during the Ethical Leadership Philosophy class.

Excellence

We are committed to setting high standards of academic rigor in courses and creating high expectations for achievement by everyone. We seek the personal and intellectual transformation of our students through the liberal arts.

Justice

We are committed to the peaceful resolution of conflict, sharing of economic and natural resources and parity in educational opportunity.

Maya Walfall '20 and Professor of Foreign Languages Karen Spira take a photo on the Quad.

Integrity

We are committed to creating a community that acts with honesty and forthrightness, holding ourselves to high academic and ethical standards and dealing with everyone with respect.

Guilford College Students Walking

Equality

We are committed to creating an institution and a society where everyone is appreciated and judged based on their contributions and performance rather than gender, race, religion, physical abilities, sexual identity, or socio-economic condition.

Professor Marlene McCauley leads students on a hike to a stream that runs through campus during a Geology course.

Stewardship

We are committed to making decisions that will ensure the long-term survival of this institution. We must maximize the value of our human, financial, and physical resources in ways consistent with our Quaker heritage.