Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at a Glance
Mission Statement
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College empowers students to think critically, engage in lifelong leadership and effect positive change in a spirit of service and social responsibility.
Vision Statement
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College embodies a spirit of student-centered academic innovation, faith and leadership to transform ourselves, our communities and our world.
Value Statement
We follow in the footsteps of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin in all that we do as we work to live out our Catholic values.
Social Justice:
We believe we are called to stand for others and to strive for learning that puts faith into action.
Spirituality:
We provide opportunities for individual discovery of meaning and purpose at the intersection of faith and reason for the development and growth of the whole person.
Sustainability:
We are committed to being leaders in environmental sustainability and in implementing environmentally sustainable practices, curricula and programs. We model best-practices and educate our community, helping individuals to become responsible citizens contributing to the well-being of our campus and the health of the planet.
Gender Equality:
We believe that individuals have the same rights, privileges, opportunities and responsibilities to participate as productive citizens in society regardless of gender or gender identity as we embrace our legacy as a historic Women's College.
Accreditation and Approvals
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The College is authorized by name as an approved institution of higher education in the state of Indiana; it is also approved for teacher training by the Indiana Department of Education. The College participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and is an approved Indiana NC-SARA institution. The College website maintains the most up to date information about state approvals of online education.
Some academic programs are certified or approved by their professional associations, including but not limited to: American Art Therapy Association, American Music Therapy Association, Commission on College Nursing Education, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Indiana State Board of Nursing, National Association of Schools of Music, and Society for Human Resource Management.
Diversity Statement
As a matter of institutional priority, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College strives to be an inclusive environment in which faculty members, staff, students and the greater community are respected and embraced regardless of variations in thoughts, experiences, values and traditions. As an academic institution, we foster a dynamic learning and working environment that encourages multiple perspectives and the free exchange of ideas.
Founded as a Roman Catholic institution and able to draw on the Greek root of the word catholic meaning “universal,” we cultivate this heritage to develop a strong, respectful and trusting environment for students, faculty and staff. Recognizing the sacredness of humanity, we revere the beauty in all gifts and talents.
We believe that diversity, as a multifaceted and a naturally valuable asset, aims to broaden and deepen both the educational experience and the scholarly environment, as students and faculty learn to interact effectively with each other, preparing them to engage as active citizens in an increasingly complex, multicultural and pluralistic society. We believe that diversity encompasses the awareness and celebration of the many identities that make up our community including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religious or spiritual affinity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic class, age, cultural background, language, differing abilities and region of origin. We acknowledge, respect and celebrate our differences.
In a world where the pursuit of safety and well-being are central, we foster a commitment to social justice and confrontation of discrimination and ultimately uphold human dignity for all. We intentionally work toward understanding, respecting and appreciating diversity by increasing our awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions. In doing so, we move beyond tolerance to understanding, accepting and celebrating our differences.
We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as key characteristics of our campus community and beliefs, to increase the diversity of all parts of our College community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts, and to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. Our commitment to these principles is an integral part of our mission, values and daily activities.