Editorial Column for Daily Herald
For Publication:09/10/08

HCC: Reviewing our Mission, Vision and Values
Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr.
President, Halifax Community College

As Halifax Community College prepares for reaccreditation in 2011 with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, it is important for us to review our mission, vision and values statements to see if updates are needed and whether or not they are serving the community. Utilizing a committee spearheaded by our Vice President for Instructional Services, Dr. Joy Cooley, we studied our existing statements and decided to draft new ones for consideration.

Colleges routinely go through a review process and encourage input from the campus and community. Below you will find the newly drafted statements. Please review and tell us what you think.

The following drafts of the HCC Mission, Vision, and Values Statements were developed throughout the 2007-08 academic year. This was a culmination of work done involving campus wide input. Meetings were also held by a committee that met during July and August 2008 to finalize the draft. All HCC employees were notified of the meetings, invited to attend, and their input solicited in the development of the statements. In addition, the final drafts were sent to all campus groups just like we are sharing it with you for your input.

Mission (draft)
HCC strives to meet the diverse needs of our community by providing high-quality, accessible and affordable education and services for a rapidly changing and globally competitive marketplace.

Vision (draft)
HCC will continue to be a catalyst for educational, cultural, and economic progress in the Roanoke Valley by anticipating and responding to the needs of an evolving global community.

Values (draft)

Integrity: We live by a code of ethics which includes truth, humility, respect, and fair-mindedness to all people.

Service: We actively support the growth and development of a culture of service in our community by word, example and collaboration.

Continuing Learning: We value and promote the process of reaching our individual and community-related potential through a life-long pursuit of education, both formal and informal.

Collaboration: We promote the combined efforts of all stakeholders in accomplishing common goals of government, education, industry, and the public.

Accessibility: We provide opportunity and support to all who seek personal enrichment or a higher quality of life.
Innovation: We embrace new and creative approaches to continually improve the quality of our education and services.

Diversity: We believe an appreciation of differences adds to the richness of the learning environment and the personal development of all.

Accountability: We take responsibility for continuous quality improvement, serving the needs of our community, utilizing our fiscal and educational resources wisely, and providing quality education and services with strategic outcomes.

From the President’s Perspective, it is very important that HCC’s mission, vision, and values statements reflect the needs of the communities that we serve. We would like input from our many constituents in the Roanoke Valley and invite you to give us your comments concerning our draft mission, vision, and value statements. Again, I urge you to take some time and give us input so that the aforementioned statements will truly reflect the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the Roanoke Valley region.

Send your comments and ideas for our Mission, Vision, and Value Statements to me by email at president@halifaxcc.edu. We value your input. Also, to learn more about our current programs, stop by campus, call us at (252) 536-HCC1 (4221), or visit us online at www.halifaxcc.edu.