Mission Statements: A Closer Look at UCLA and ECC
Alejandra Guzman
Higher Education and Student Affairs, Northern Illinois University
HESA 500: Foundations of Higher Education
Dr. Katy Jaekel
October 24, 2022
Mission Statements: A Closer Look at UCLA and ECC
Mission statements are important to the identity of an institution. While they can vary in
length and by institution type, mission statements are able to communicate what an institution
values and believes. In some ways, it serves as a foundation of an intuition’s brand. This paper
will first examine the Carnegie Classification and mission statements of two institutions: the
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Elgin Community College (ECC). Then it
will compare the institutions by highlighting their main differences. Specifically, it will argue
that UCLA values research and that ECC values access and affordability.
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is a 4-year public university located in
Los Angeles, California. It is an institution that issues baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral
degrees and prioritizes high research activity within the fields of arts and sciences. UCLA’s
student body is made up of 44,589 students and a typical undergraduate student of this highly
selective institution attends full-time and lives residentially. It is worth mentioning that at least
20% of the undergraduate student body are transfer students.
Since UCLA is a public research university, their mission statement affirms the
commitment to research and their reputation as a one of the leading research institutions. As
stated on their website, “UCLA’s primary purpose as a public research university is the creation,
dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global
society” (para. 1). Their mission statement goes onto emphasize that UCLA students and faculty
make up a “community of scholars” that work together in “discovering and advancing
knowledge and practice” (para. 2). Since being a research university is at the core of their
identity, it is only appropriate it would be embedded in throughout their mission statement.
As an institution with a large number of students who live residentially, their mission
statement also upholds the value of learning outside of the classroom. It is explained that
learning takes place “through engagement in campus life and in communities and organizations
beyond the university” (para. 2). This sets the stage for the last part of their mission statement
which communicates the value of public service.
They are very clear to state that as a public university that their participation and
contributions to both local and global communities is important (Our Mission, para. 4).
Considering that they are a public university, meaning that they are largely funded through their
state’s government, it is appropriate that this value be emphasized in their mission statement.
They uphold this value by “passing on to students a renewable set of skills and commitment to
social engagement” (para. 4). It is clear that UCLA’s Carnegie classification is reflected in their
mission statement by affirming research, learning, and engagement as values.
Elgin Community College (ECC)
Elgin Community College (ECC) is a 2-year public college with a student body of 7,882
students. It located in Elgin, Illinois and is an associate’s degree granting institution with high
transfer rates. The undergraduate student body at this institution is made up of both traditional
and nontraditional students and they typically attend part-time.
ECC’s mission is to “improve people’s lives through learning” (Mission, Vision,
Philosophy, and Goals, para. 1). Although simple, it communicates that they are committed to
accessibility to all students no matter if they are considered traditional or non-traditional college
going students. Accessibility for all students, is affirmed in their vision statement as well. Their
vision statement states that they are committed to “providing innovative and affordable learning
opportunities for all constituencies” (para. 2). For them, valuing access and affordability go hand
in hand. Although this is central to their mission and vision, it is not listed in the section of their
shared institutional values.
Instead, they list excellence as one of their seven shared values. They define excellence in
terms of practice. They share that they use research-based methods to be able to develop and
implement high impact learning experiences and services (ECC, para. 4). Since their institution
is classified as having a high transfer rate, it seems reasonable that they would prioritize this
value in serving students. This value helps them to ensure that they are adequately preparing
their students to be successful at other institutions or for whatever step comes next.
Another shared value is accountability. This value is cited in reference to their
classification as a public college. Since they accept state government funding, this value affirms
their intentionality in being good stewards of the resources they receive. It is stated that they
“strive to be transparent in reporting decisions and actions and seek feedback from others” in
improving their offerings and services (para. 9). It is also clear that ECC’s mission statement,
vision, and values affirm their Carnegie Classification.
Driving it Home: Differences Between UCLA and ECC
UCLA and ECC have both crafted mission statements that are affirming of their Carnegie
Classifications. However, they differ in their core values. Specifically, UCLA values research
and scholarship whereas ECC values access and affordability. Although different, they
surprisingly share a commonality, which is their value of diversity in thought.
As made mention, UCLA is a public 4-year university that prides itself in being “one of
the world’s great research universities” (Our Mission, para. 3). This is reflected by including
research as an institutional responsibility of theirs and describing their community as one of
scholars. It is also reflected in the way that they view their civic engagement as stemming from
their scholarship. As ECC is not a research institution, research as a value was not included in
their mission statement. However, it was mentioned that they use research as a way to inform
their curriculum and services.
Again, ECC is a public 2-year institution that prides itself in being accessible and
affordable to all students. This is value is reflected by language that includes “all” and a
commitment to being good stewards of the resources they receive in efforts of investing them
back into the students. Considering that UCLA is located in a racially and economically diverse
city, it is interesting that access and affordability is not mentioned.
Surprisingly, a commitment to diversity in thought was communicated as a value of both
institutions. UCLA states that they value diversity of thought by creating a campus environment
where “diverse perspectives” are protected from “intolerance” (para. 1 & 3). ECC also affirms
this value by stating that everyone is free to “explore new and diverse ideas and to express their
interests and attitudes” (para. 5).
Conclusion
After examining the Carnegie Classifications of UCLA and ECC, it is clear that they are
more different than they are alike. UCLA values research and ECC values access and
affordability. Although they are different, this is not to be viewed as a good or bad thing. This
instead, communicates the importance of evaluating an institution’s mission statement. By doing
this, prospective students, staff or faculty can make judgments about an institution’s values and
beliefs, and in turn decide whether or not a college or university will be a good fit for them.
Alternatively, it is also a guide for students, staff, and faculty to advocate for change if they feel
a current practice is not upholding the institution’s mission.
References
Elgin Community College. (2022). Mission, vision, philosophy, values and goals. Elgin
Community College Catalog. Retrieved from https://catalog.elgin.edu/mission-vision-
philosophy-values-goals/
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (n.d.). About Carnegie
Classification. Retrieved from https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/.
University of California Los Angeles. (2022). Mission and Values. About UCLA. Retrieved
from https://www.ucla.edu/about/mission-and-values
Appendix A
Appendix B
