Blog Post 1: Mission Statements

For this assignment I decided to analyze two mission statements from Colleges in US: One located in Puerto Rico and the other located in US Mainland. Both universities are research type of college. 

Puerto Rico is an American territory located in the Caribbean. Because of its history, Puerto Rico has one of the richest cultural, historical and artistic heritage of all periods. Without doubts, Puerto Rican population and territory have several unique characteristics that distinguish their culture from any other in the American territory. By analyzing the mission statement from the best college in the island (University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez - UPRM), it is impressive how culture leads its values and actions. Even though Puerto Rican population are born as American citizens, they consider the island as a country, and therefore they are very proud and committed to the development of their nation. This is visible in the UPRM Mission Statement that says: Our alumni should have the necessary skills and knowledge to participate effectively in the search for solutions to the problems facing us, to promote the enrichment of the arts and culture (...) They should be able to contribute in an efficient manner to the cultural, social, and economic development of the Puerto Rican and international community.

On the other side, Virginia Tech (VT)  is a college located in US Mainland in the State of Viginia. Even though VT mission statement talks about serving  the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community, culture is not the center of its mission and they focus more on discovery and dissemination of new knowledge. 

Below, you can read in full the mission statement of both colleges:

University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Within the philosophical framework established by the University of Puerto Rico Act, the Mayagüez campus directs its efforts towards the development of educated, cultured citizens, capable of critical thinking, and professionally qualified in the fields of agricultural, social, and natural sciences, engineering, humanities and business administration. They should be able to contribute in an efficient manner to the cultural, social, and economic development of the Puerto Rican and international community.

This process is aimed at endowing our alumni with a strong technical and professional background and to instill a strong commitment to Puerto Rico and our hemisphere. Our alumni should have the necessary skills and knowledge to participate effectively in the search for solutions to the problems facing us, to promote the enrichment of the arts and culture, the development and transfer of technology as well as to uphold the essential attitudes and values of a democratic society.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is a public land-grant university serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. The discovery and dissemination of new knowledge are central to its mission. Through its focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, conveys, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, advance social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life.