1

Institutions who implement Local Promise Programs: A Mission Statement Analysis of

Central Arizona College and University of Wisconsin-Parkside

EmmaLea M. Bittner

College of Education, Northern Illinois University

HESA 500: Foundations of Higher Education

Dr. K.S. Jaekel

October 16, 2020

 2

Introduction

Institutions of higher education have mission and vision statements to communicate what

is important to an institution and how the institution plans to accomplish its goals. Students, as

well as, faculty and staff, are able to synthesize what an institution values based on these

statements. This paper will examine the mission statements of Central Arizona College and the

University of Wisconsin-Parkside and analyze comparisons and contrasts. It is important to note

while both institutions offer post-secondary education, the student populations they serve are

uniquely different.

Comparisons

Central Arizona College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside are public institutions

and are considered medium sized institutions (Carnegie Classification, 2017). According to the

Catalog of Local and State College Promise Programs (2020), Central Arizona College and

University of Wisconsin-Parkside have implemented a local promise program. The Catalog also

states the common components of Promise Programs are: to engage the community about post-

secondary education, communicate that college is attainable, and to provide students the tools to

be successful ranging from monetary assistance to implementing quality student services

(Catalog of Local and State College Promise Programs, 2020).

Both institutions strive to be the premier educational choice. According to Central Arizona

College’s vision statement “Central Arizona’s premier choice in education and career excellence”

(2012). Similarly, University of Wisconsin-Parkside states “The campus will be a premier

comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice” (University of Wisconsin-Parkside).

The institutions actualize their visions by being learning communities. Central Arizona College’s
 3

mission statement claims they are a “TRUE learning community.” University of Wisconsin-

Parkside also states in their mission statement that they are “a dynamic learning community

grounded in academic excellence.” Learning communities encourage integration of learning across

courses and to involve students with “big questions” that matter beyond the classroom (Kuh,

2008).

Contrasts

According to the Carnegie Classification, Central Arizona College is a 2-year institution

which offers associate degrees and has a high transfer rate, where the University of Wisconsin-

Parkside is a 4-year and above institution focused on liberal arts curriculum (Carnegie

Classification, 2017). The types of degrees offered at an institution will directly impact the types

of students who choose to enroll and what their educational goals are. The region of interest is

different between the two institutions. Central Arizona College is focused on a local region of

Pinal County, Arizona, which contrasts with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, which

focuses on “its local, national, and global communities” (University of Wisconsin-Parkside).

Central Arizona College “empowers their students and staff to succeed” (Central Arizona

College, 2012), which differs from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside who “prepares their

students to be successful in their professional, civic, and personal lives.” (University of Wisconsin-

Parkside). By empowering students, Central Arizona College is instilling confidence and

encouraging students during their academic journey and communicating with students that college

is attainable. University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s goal is to get their students ready to be productive

members of society after college. Another notable difference is the role staff has within the mission

statements. Central Arizona College includes their staff’s success in their mission statement which
 4

shows the institution values their staff members' success as much as their students. It also shows

Central Arizona College’s dedication to professional development. University of Wisconsin-

Parkside briefly mentions staff in conjunction with how they are going to fulfill their mission;

specifically “attract and retain a diverse and multicultural population of students, faculty, and staff

and foster a teaching and learning community that provides opportunities for collaborative faculty,

student, and staff interaction in support of excellence.” (University of Wisconsin-Parkside). This

clearly defines the faculty and staff roles at the institution, which are to support student success.

Conclusion

Promise Programs look to engage the community in post-secondary education, which

both Central Arizona College and University of Wisconsin-Parkside highlight in their mission

statements. Central Arizona College does a better job of communicating college is attainable,

whereas the University of Wisconsin-Parkside showcases how they plan to offer quality students

services. Even though Central Arizona College and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside are

both medium sized public institutions with implemented local Promise Programs, the institutions

ultimately aim to serve different student populations. Central Arizona College is primarily

focused on students in Pinal County, Arizona whose primary goal is to earn a transferable

associate's degree, while the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is looking to enroll students who

embrace the liberal arts curriculum and whose end goal is a baccalaureate degree.
 5

Appendix A
Vision, Mission and Goals
Vision:
Central Arizona’s premier choice in education and career excellence.
Mission:
Central Arizona College serves as a TRUE Learning community by empowering our students
and staff to succeed.
Teaching. Reaching. Understanding. Empowering. Learning.
Values:
1. Accountability
2. Communities
3. Trust
Strategic Goals:
Student Success
Ensure student success through retention, persistence, completion, and transfer
Access
Ensure all Pinal County residents and others have access to high quality innovative post-
secondary opportunities
Workforce
Ensure students acquire the skills necessary for job placement and that meet employer needs in
Pinal County and Region
Community
Ensure Pinal County residents have access to lifelong learning and cultural enrichment
Environment
Ensure a safe, sustainable environment that promotes learning, communication, diversity and
satisfaction among students and employees.
Stewardship
Ensure optimization of fiscal resources through a balanced budget to support the needs and
expectations of students and the community
Infrastructure
Ensure a physical and technological infrastructure that support changes in learning and working
environment
CAC Strategic Plan
Common Student Learning Outcomes:
Central Arizona College supports student success and academic achievement by providing a high
quality education which integrates continuous improvement strategies in teaching and learning.
CAC’s graduates possess academic knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an educated citizen,
including competency in our Common Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs).
The four Common Student Learning Outcomes are:
Cultural and Civic Engagement
Participate in diverse environments while demonstrating global citizenship and social
consciousness
Integrative Knowledge
Identify, comprehend, apply and synthesize facts, concepts, theories and practices across broad
and specialized knowledge areas
Personal and Professional Skills
 6

Demonstrate skills which enhance personal and professional development

Reasoning Skills
Inquire and analyze to solve problems, draw logical conclusions, or create innovative ideas
The CSLOs were approved by the Pinal County Community College Governing Board on
September 18, 2012.
 7

Appendix B
MISSION & VISION
Our Mission, Our Vision, Our Values
Our Vision
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a dynamic learning community grounded in academic
excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion and community engagement. The
campus will be a premier comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice, serving as
a focal point of local, regional and global progress.

Our Mission
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs,
creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its
local, national and global communities.
To fulfill this mission, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will:
• Offer high-quality academic programs rooted in the tradition of a liberal education in
the arts, sciences and professions, responsive to the occupational, civic and cultural
needs of the region, and actively seek the continued input of all stakeholders.
• Generate, disseminate and apply knowledge through research, professional and
creative activity that benefits communities throughout the region and the world.
• Attract and retain a diverse and multicultural population of students, faculty, and
staff.
• Foster a teaching and learning community that provides opportunities for
collaborative faculty, student, and staff interaction in support of excellence.
• Utilize technology creatively and effectively in courses, programs, and services.
• Prepare students to be successful in their professional, civic, and personal lives.
• Provide programs that meet the intellectual and cultural needs of people throughout
their lives.
• Provide and share in cultural and intellectual activities in partnership with our local
and regional communities.
 8

References

Carnegie Classification of Higher of Institutions of Higher Education, Central Arizona College.

(2017). Institution Lookup
https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=104346&start
_page=lookup.php&clq=%7B%22ipug2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ipgrad2005_
ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22enrprofile2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ugprfile20
05_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22sizeset2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22basic2005
_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22eng2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22search_string%
22%3A%22Central+Arizona+College+%22%2C%22level%22%3A%22%22%2C%22co
ntrol%22%3A%22%22%2C%22accred%22%3A%22%22%2C%22state%22%3A%22%
22%2C%22region%22%3A%22%22%2C%22urbanicity%22%3A%22%22%2C%22wom
ens%22%3A%22%22%2C%22hbcu%22%3A%22%22%2C%22hsi%22%3A%22%22%2
C%22tribal%22%3A%22%22%2C%22msi%22%3A%22%22%2C%22landgrant%22%3
A%22%22%2C%22coplac%22%3A%22%22%2C%22urban%22%3A%22%22%2C%22
community%22%3A%22%22%7D

Carnegie Classification of Higher of Institutions of Higher Education, University of Wisconsin-

Parkside. (2017). Institution Lookup
https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=240374&start
_page=lookup.php&clq=%7B%22ipug2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ipgrad2005_
ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22enrprofile2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22ugprfile20
05_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22sizeset2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22basic2005
_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22eng2005_ids%22%3A%22%22%2C%22search_string%
22%3A%22University+of+Wisconsin-
Parkside%22%2C%22level%22%3A%22%22%2C%22control%22%3A%22%22%2C%
22accred%22%3A%22%22%2C%22state%22%3A%22%22%2C%22region%22%3A%2
2%22%2C%22urbanicity%22%3A%22%22%2C%22womens%22%3A%22%22%2C%2
2hbcu%22%3A%22%22%2C%22hsi%22%3A%22%22%2C%22tribal%22%3A%22%22
%2C%22msi%22%3A%22%22%2C%22landgrant%22%3A%22%22%2C%22coplac%2
2%3A%22%22%2C%22urban%22%3A%22%22%2C%22community%22%3A%22%22
%7D

Central Arizona College. (2012, September 18). Vision, Mission and

Goals. https://centralaz.edu/about-cac/about-central/vision-mission-and-goals/

College Promise. (2020). Fall 2020 Catalog of Local and State College Promise
Programs. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e44327a52b88927aaaecabd/t/5f58d3
e07e871053b883d14f/1599656934346/CollegePromiseCatalog_Rockefeller_Online_Sept
2020+%281%29.pdf

Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them,
and why they matter. Association of American Colleges and Universities.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Mission and Vision.

https://www.uwp.edu/explore/aboutuwp/mission_vision.cfm