Mission Statement
The mission of West Texas A&M University is to provide intellectually challenging, reflective, regionally responsive, and comprehensive academic programs that discover, interpret, apply, and disseminate knowledge for preparing the next generation of citizens in Texas, the nation, and the world.
Vision Statement
Guided by its pioneering spirit, West Texas A&M University is recognized for its excellence in teaching and learning, and a strong focus on engaging students in experiences that aid in the development of skills, capabilities, and insights. Our vision is to become a Regional Research University responsive to the forces that shape who we are. Our distinctive focus on the people and places of the Panhandle region will be acknowledged throughout Texas, across the country, and around the world.
Core Values
The core values of West Texas A&M University are reflective of, inspired by, responsive to the people we serve, regardless of background, family history, personal beliefs, or aspirations. The people of the plains, in towns and communities, on ranches and farms spend every day living out their commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service to neighbors—locally, regionally, and globally. From these same Panhandle values, grow WT’s core values:
A cademic Freedom – We champion the free exchange of ideas.
S ervice – We put the needs of other’s first.
P ragmatism – We seek to apply what we learn for the betterment of our community.
I nnovation – We embrace better ways to shape the future.
R espect – We treat others with dignity which flows from the humanity of each individual.
E ngagement – We promote citizenship and being part of something larger than oneself.
Student Centered Philosophy
The development of a student-centered philosophy is a dominant theme in both the strategic planning and curriculum assessment processes at West Texas A&M University. Since the student-centered approach permeates and influences all aspects of the University, it is essential that the philosophy is well-defined and understood by all members of the University community.
A student-centered university community is entirely committed to ensuring that students have opportunities to succeed in their academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, social, moral, and civic endeavors while they are enrolled as our students and throughout the remainder of their lives. All members of a student-centered university community assist students in achieving their individual academic and personal goals while meeting the goals described in the university’s mission statement. The student-centered institution inspires students to develop the attitudes and skills that are essential to a rewarding life of learning, leadership and service.
West Texas A&M University exists first and foremost to provide a superb education to its students. Students and their development must be at the heart of all that we do. Furthermore, excellence in teaching is the sine qua non of our existence as an institution of higher education. In a student-centered environment, we are committed to the continuous improvement of our academic programs; we are committed to challenging students to excel; we are committed to providing students with timely feedback and assessment of their progress; we are committed to constantly adapting our pedagogy to provide a learning environment consistent with students’ learning styles; and we are committed to increasing students’ personal responsibility for learning by providing participatory learning opportunities. In a student-centered environment, our course schedules and classroom allocations are designed to best meet the needs of our students and maximize learning. Our student support services are accessible, inviting and structured to help students achieve their personal goals.
Although a student-centered university strives to promote student success, the relaxation or reduction of academic standards or expectations cannot be considered as being a contribution to success. Students must be held to high standards in the classroom, in performances, in exhibiting their work, on the athletic field, or in any other arena of student endeavor. Expectations and goals are important aspects of the student-centered philosophy and must be encouraged campus-wide.
A student-centered university enforces the rules, regulations, and policies fairly and consistently for all students. The interests of a single student or a group cannot outweigh the interests of the student community as a whole.
Our most important contacts with students occur in teaching and advising interactions, but critical interactions also occur in admissions, registration, financial aid, residential life, and career services offices. It is imperative that the encounters students have with all employees at West Texas A&M University be productive and pleasant. In other words, all university employees must be empowered and willing to solve the problems that students bring to their doorsteps.
The mission of West Texas A&M University is to be a student-centered learning community dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular undergraduate programs. Our role is to provide opportunities for students to reach their personal goals in a supportive, student-centered environment. Our goal is to exceed the expectations of our students, their parents, and the community that we serve. Each member of the university community is responsible for ensuring that West Texas A&M University is student-centered.
Priorities of WTAMU
The University's primary responsibility is to provide a student-centered, learning community dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular undergraduate and graduate programs, with primary emphasis placed on undergraduate education. Given the large number of first generation and minority students, emphasis is placed on providing an educational experience in which there is personalized attention given to students.
Instructional responsibilities are given a weight of between 50 and 80 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads. Recognizing that the existence of an effective student-centered learning environment entails extensive interaction of students with faculty outside of the classroom, advising/mentoring comprises between 10 and 20 percent of instructional responsibilities.
Scholarly research that provides practical applications of theory through applied research, enhance the effectiveness of teaching, and advance the bounds of knowledge, are valued and encouraged by the University. In terms of priorities, a goal is for the majority of our scholarly output to be applied scholarship, with the remainder being in rough balance between basic scholarship and instructional development. Regardless of type, the primary emphasis is on high quality intellectual contributions. Scholarly research/creative activities are given a weight of between 10 and 40 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads.
As a service-oriented university, we have a commitment to assist in the economic development of the region. Service responsibilities are viewed as an integral part of the mission of the University and are given a weight of between 10 and 25 percent in annual faculty evaluations, depending upon specific faculty workloads.
Recognizing a sizable proportion of our students are commuter and/or non-traditional students, the University offers a wide range of student support services for part-time and non-traditional students in addition to being a residential campus. While traditional course delivery systems are the predominate means of offering classes and programs, WTAMU is committed to offering on-line programs and on-line courses.
Critical Success Factors and Key Performance Indicators
The following represent factors considered critical to the success of WTAMU:
- student learning and success,
- academic excellence,
- research, scholarship and creative work,
- fiscal responsibility, and
- catalyst for economic development in region.
Long-Range Plan
Strategic Plan