Our Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience

Tarleton State University will provide a life-changing education exemplified by a welcoming and empowering student experience, characterized by:

  • An affordable, first-class education paired with personalized support from start to finish to help students grow academically, socially, and professionally
  • Engaged faculty, staff, and alumni mentors who guide students in setting long-term goals and developing marketable skills with real-world application
  • A community where all students feel safe, accepted, and included.
  • Transformational educational experiences that challenge students to achieve excellence and prepare them to lead meaningful and rewarding lives

Tarleton’s faculty, staff, and administration support this experience through:

  • Integrated services and clear communications that help students effectively navigate academic, financial, and administrative processes
  • A supportive learning environment that connects all students with campus resources and empowers them to take responsibility for their success
  • Innovative technology that provides options for learning and engagement, enhances academic and social connections, and allows students to track their progress toward achieving their educational goals
  • Curricular and co-curricular programs that engage students in research and workforce experiences, immerse them in global and civic activities, and develop their leadership skills
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Mission / Vision and Values / Statements

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Mission

Tarleton State University, a founding member of the Texas A&M University System, transforms generations by inspiring discovery, leadership and service through educational excellence.

Vision

Tarleton State will be the premier comprehensive university in the nation, with a keen focus on student success, teaching, and research.

Values and Statements

Excellence

Tarleton State Texans pursue greatness in all efforts, promoting a spirit of leadership, adaptability, and innovation for exceptional outcomes and a better world.

Integrity

Tarleton State Texans hold to the highest ethical standards and commit to serving others through transparency and accountability in everything we do.

Respect

Tarleton State Texans create a thriving community by embracing varied perspectives with civility, honoring tradition, and promoting collaboration so everyone thrives.

Goals and 5-Year Strategies

Goal I: Student Opportunity & Success

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Strategically grow enrollment and foster a thriving learning environment characterized by transformational educational experiences that promote the holistic development, economic mobility, and success of all students.

  • Strategy I-A: Enhance opportunity, access, and affordability through recruitment, strategic offerings and flexible learning formats, particularly in graduate and professional programs.
  • Strategy I-B: Support the success and graduation of all students, consistently outpacing our peers in engagement and achievement rates.
  • Strategy I-C: Promote lifelong learning and gainful employment through career readiness, alumni-engagement, flexible credentials, and experiential learning.

Goal II: Academic Distinction

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Achieve academic excellence through innovative instructional practices, strategic program expansion, and a robust academic and technological infrastructure.

  • Strategy II-A: Leverage high-impact teaching and learning practices, technology, and quality instructional design of all courses to provide a transformational and future-focused educational experience.
  • Strategy II-B: Adapt and expand nationally recognized academic programs, schools and colleges through prestigious accreditation, program review, and benchmarking against aspirational institutions.
  • Strategy II-C: Strengthen healthcare education, services, and partnerships to meet state needs in rural and underserved suburban communities.
  • Strategy II-D: Continue focused efforts to impact state healthcare needs in rural and underserved sub-urban populations.

Goal III: Global, Community & First-Gen Initiatives

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Promote work, service, and leadership readiness for a global economy and transnational workforce by advancing mission-focused partnerships and community values across all aspects of our multi-campus institution.

  • Strategy III-A: Integrate educational experiences for students, faculty, and staff to increase understanding of perspectives that focus on community and global engagement.
  • Strategy III-B: Expand college access, readiness, and persistence through high-impact support programs for pre-college and undergraduate learners.
  • Strategy III-C: Leverage the university’s designations of excellence through connection and access to expand our reach as a nationally recognized, comprehensive, first-choice university.

Goal IV: Research Excellence & Innovation

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Cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem to enhance research, scholarship, and regional partnerships that drive innovation and economic development.

  • Strategy IV-A: Mobilize faculty and student research, scholarship, and creative activities and support personnel in the process of securing and administering research funds to reach Carnegie’s Very High Research Activity Classification by 2031.
  • Strategy IV-B: Build a collaborative research and innovation ecosystem that accelerates entrepreneurship, industry engagement, and applied research to enhance economic prosperity in rural, regional, and statewide communities.
  • Strategy IV-C: Use data analytics and AI to drive innovation and enable evidence-based decisions that advance enrollment growth, student success, and institutional effectiveness.

Goal V: Institutional Impact, Excellence, & Prominence

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Attain national prominence through student achievement, a thriving employee experience, a culture of philanthropy, and fiscal sustainability.

  • Strategy V-A: Foster a thriving employee experience supported by competitive recruitment, strong retention, and intentional workforce planning to sustain institutional growth.
  • Strategy V-B: Strengthen fiscal sustainability by prioritizing investment in the core mission, expanding philanthropic support, and diversifying revenue sources.
  • Strategy V-C: Advance institutional excellence and impact through increased visibility, competitive achievement, and nationally recognized distinction.

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The Future of Tarleton State University

The spirit that inspired a farmer and rancher 125 years ago to start a college is the same spirit that propels us today.

John Tarleton’s commitment to educational opportunity and affordability is part and parcel of everything we do. It’s the foundation of Tarleton Forward 2030.

Our new 10-year, future-focused plan positions us for limitless opportunities and extreme successes.

It is a bold projection. A North Star for the world to follow.