MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES

MISSION: The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy & Service, located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin- Marathon County (Wausau), is a key component of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension that seeks to enhance the civic life of communities throughout Wisconsin with educational outreach, service-learning and internship opportunities, public scholarship, non-partisan public dialogue, community building initiatives, and dissemination of ideas generated through research and programming.

VISION: The vision of the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy & Service is that all citizens of Wisconsin will become educated and engaged community members and active participants in civic life.

CORE VALUES: The foundational values with which the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service performs its work, conducts its business, and shapes its mission include:

Public Education -- We will strive to educate students of the UW Colleges and UW-Extension by offering complementary programming and learning opportunities to the traditional liberal arts curriculum. We also seek to educate the citizens of Wisconsin concerning key public policy issues and of the importance of civic participation in their communities and state.

Citizen Access -- We support the UW Colleges and UW-Extension core goal of maximum access to higher education. In addition, we will provide opportunities for citizens of Wisconsin to have their voices heard through the promotion of meaningful public education and dialogue. Citizens' ideas and input will be actively encouraged to help shape future programming, research, and dialogue.

Community Service -- We will encourage and provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful service to the residents and communities of Wisconsin and beyond. We will promote the value of public service as an important component of a healthy and vibrant democratic society.

Collaborative Partnerships -- We will create partnerships within the UW Colleges and UW-Extension and throughout the UW System to apply resources and interdisciplinary expertise to engage in meaningful research and scholarship. We will build collaborative relationships with key sectors of society--government, business, non-profit, education, health care, etc. to address issues of public concern.

Non-Partisanship -- We will not shy away from tackling controversial public topics, but we are committed to addressing all issues with integrity, sensitivity, and uncompromising political neutrality.

Responsible Stewardship -- We are committed to managing our finite resources, both from public and private sources, in a responsible manner. We will encourage public accountability of our budget and conscientiously seek objective assessment of the effectiveness of our activities and programs.