Section 1: Mission of University of Missouri Extension
The primary purpose of the University of Missouri Extension is to serve Missouri by extending the research-based knowledge and problem-solving resources of the University of Missouri System to empower people throughout the state.
MU Extension is supported by a unique partnership of federal, state and local governments. MU Extension provides access to the University's information and educational resources most needed by the people of Missouri. County extension councils, as established by state statute, and field-based faculty are partners in the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs. The Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture is also a formal partner in the cooperative extension program.
When possible, MU Extension cooperates with Lincoln University to deliver a single, coordinated cooperative extension program. Extension clientele throughout the state are youth and adults from all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups.
Source: Board of Curators
March 20, 1992
Vision statement
MU Extension is a valued and trusted educational solution to improve the quality of life in Missouri, the nation and the world
Mission statement
Our distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities and economies by producing relevant, reliable and responsive educational strategies that enhance access to the resources and research of the University of Missouri.
Values
Respect
Respect for oneself and for others is the foundation of honor and the basis for integrity. A hallmark of our community is respect — for the process by which we seek truths and for those who engage in that process. Such respect is essential for nurturing the free and open discourse, exploration and creative expression that characterize a university. Respect results in dedication to individual, as well as collective, expressions of truth and honesty. Respect is demonstrated by a commitment to act ethically, to welcome difference and to engage in open exchange about ideas and decisions.
Responsibility
A sense of responsibility requires careful reflection on one’s moral obligations. Being responsible imposes the duty on us and our university to make decisions by acknowledging the context and considering the consequences, both intended and unintended, of any course of action. Being responsible requires us to be thoughtful stewards of resources — accountable to ourselves, each other and the publics we serve.
Discovery
Learning requires trust in the process of discovery. Discovery often fractures existing world views and requires acceptance of uncertainty and ambiguity. Therefore, the university must support all its members in this lifelong process that is both challenging and rewarding. As we seek greater understanding and wisdom, we also recognize that knowledge itself has boundaries — what we know is not all that there is.
Excellence
We aspire to an excellence that is approached through diligent effort, both individual and collective. Pursuing excellence means being satisfied with no less than the highest goals we can envision. Pursuing excellence involves being informed by regional, national and global standards as well as our personal expectations. We recognize and accept the sacrifices, risks and responsibilities involved in pursuing excellence, and so we celebrate each other’s successes. We commit ourselves to this process in an ethical and moral manner.
Engagement
We are committed to being an engaged learning organization focused on greater access and inclusivity. This commitment comes with a responsibility to listen to and collaborate with our communities, participants and stakeholders. Engagement is demonstrated by reciprocity and partnership where knowledge and its application are exchanged in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Engagement enriches scholarship, fosters relevant responses and enhances social and economic outcomes.