Our Values, Our University
Uplifting the whole people
Guided by Forward Together: The University of Alberta People Strategy 2024-2034, we have established a clear set of values to serve as long-term guiding lights alongside our mission and vision. These values provide a common basis for our work, decision-making and personal connection to the university.
While the mission and vision describe what we aim to achieve, our values describe how we collectively behave and make decisions to reach those goals. They will align with strategic goals and provide a framework for consistent decision-making across the entire organization.
Unwavering Curiosity
Shared Accountability
A Spirit of Community
Impact through Excellence
Our values are embodied in the words of our university's first president.
... knowledge shall not be the concern of scholars alone. The uplifting of the whole people shall be its final goal.
Henry Marshall Tory
Living our Values
The overarching statement from Henry Marshall Tory inspires us to ensure that the knowledge created within the university is guided by the aspiration for a broader benefit: a tangible, positive effect on the wider community. The uplifting of the community, the whole people, is the core.
These are more than just words on a page. They serve as our long-term guiding lights — steering our organization and giving us a shared foundation for every decision we make and every project we undertake. The descriptions below clarify the values and ensure we remain consistent in our approach, helping us stay focused on what truly matters as we work together and move in the same direction.
Unwavering Curiosity devoted to Quaecumque vera
It is the spark behind every courageous question, big breakthrough and bold new idea. We value the pursuit of knowledge and the continuous asking of new questions in our labs, libraries and lecture halls.
A Spirit of Community, grounded in caring and respect
Where voices gather, belonging grows — and together we go further. We are active partners with communities locally and globally, because the work we do together reaches further than anything we could accomplish alone.
Shared Accountability for a sustainable future
What we’re given, we honour — preserving possibility for generations. We act as custodians for the long-term well-being of society, our planet, our culture and the university’s legacy.
The tireless pursuit of Impact through Excellence in all we do
Success is measured not only by what we create but also by the lives changed because of it. We translate knowledge into action to solve real-world problems, creating discoveries that ripple outward and shape a stronger future.
Our Values Journey
This foundational work began by reviewing thoughtful input from previous consultations, including the Shape: A Strategic Plan of Impact, Igniting Purpose: Student Experience Action Plan (SEAP), and Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan. Over the past year, this was supplemented by focused discussions to translate shared ideas into value terms. This phased engagement culminated in our What We Heard report and targeted discussions, including “values labs,” online surveys and ongoing outreach.