Mission and Values

Mission Statement

Consistent with its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, Mercyhurst University educates diverse persons in a culture where faith and reason flourish together, where the beauty and power of the liberal arts combine with an appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others. Confident in the strength of its student-faculty bonds, the university community is inspired by the image of students whose choices, in life and work, will enable them to realize the human and spiritual values embedded in everyday realities and to exercise leadership in service toward a just world.

Mission Integration
Higher education in the United States is changing at an unprecedented pace and Catholic universities confront pressures and challenges specific to their Catholic and sponsorship identity. To help preserve and continue the Mercy charism, the Sisters of Mercy established the Conference for Mercy Higher Education. Mercyhurst University, a member of the conference, has an Office of Mission Integration. Its purpose is to assist the president in promoting the university’s mission with respect to its Catholic and Mercy identity.

Vision Statement
Mercyhurst University seeks to be a leading higher educational institution that integrates excellence in the liberal arts, professional and career-path programs, and service to regional and world communities.

Core Values
We are . . .

Socially Merciful
Mercy restores human dignity, expands our social relations, and empowers us to reach out in compassion to others.

Globally Responsible
Globalization challenges us to learn how to steward the resources of the Earth wisely and to act in solidarity with its diverse peoples.

Compassionately Hospitable
Mercy hospitality begins with self-acceptance, welcomes peoples of different faith, ethnic, and cultural traditions, and thus builds communities that transcend mere tolerance.

Intellectually Creative
Generous, inquiring, and critical habits of mind, which support the aspirations for excellence manifested within the academic community, encourage us in our lifelong search for what is true, good and beautiful.

Reflectively Aware
Our Christian environment encourages self-reflection and contemplation of human behavior, promotes balance of mind, body and spirit, and ultimately offers the opportunity to develop a moral compass for a life of integrity.

Ambassadors of service.