Mission & Values

Valparaiso University, a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, prepares students to lead and serve in both church and society.

Valparaiso University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Valparaiso University is a welcoming community, grounded in the Lutheran tradition, built on values of mutual respect, positive regard, freedom, and reliance on grace. We strive to boldly include all individuals and groups who contribute to the life of our campus in a mutually beneficial way. Difference is a strength and reason for celebration, and we affirm that we are most inclusive when we bring groups together to make decisions in collaborative, equitable ways. Our values do not support language or behavior that demeans members of our campus based on age, appearance, ethnicity, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex, disabilities (mental and physical), ideological/political positions, intellectual perspective, socio-economic status, immigration status, veteran status, and national or regional origin. Actions and behaviors based on positions or perspectives that inherently marginalize, oppress, or deny full dignity to all are not tolerated. Nothing herein shall limit academic freedom or the freedom of expression pursuant to University policy related to either. As such, we will consistently and vigilantly assess our academic and co-curricular offerings and our admissions, hiring, and promotion policies in reflection of these values.

Embracing the Journey

The freedom to pursue truth wherever it leads is at the heart of Valpo’s sense of community, uniting its academic and spiritual missions.

The university aims to foster in its students a lifelong commitment to this search for truth, encouraging the development of a sense of personal vocation as well as the intellectual and professional skills needed to pursue it.

An active, inclusive community and an accomplished faculty prepare Valpo graduates to choose and navigate their own paths through life.

Our Faith Identity

Valparaiso University is a comprehensive, independent Lutheran university, prominently located in Northwest Indiana, and driven by a welcoming community that continually strives to answer our collective call to serve the world.

Strengthening, Serving, and Leading Communities

Life at Valpo offers students a model of community participation, personal responsibility, and respectful concern for others.

• The student-initiated honor system relies on each student to maintain standards of academic integrity.
• A collaborative system of university governance assigns students considerable responsibility for residential and social life.
• The Office of Volunteer Programs and the Community Research and Service Center exemplify a commitment to learning through service that results in Valpo students’ logging more than 247,000 hours of community outreach and service-learning each academic year.
• Extensive Study Abroad programs and a commitment to institutional diversity deepen students’ understanding of the world’s variety of cultural and religious traditions.

Guided by a strong sense of ethics and informed by a broad understanding of the scientific, religious, and cultural heritage of human society, Valpo alumni have assumed leadership roles in their communities, churches, social institutions, the nation, and the world.

A Community Commitment to Ethics

Valparaiso’s EthicsPoint reporting tool allows any member of the community to submit an anonymous, confidential report.