Mission, Vision & Values

Thriving Together

Our Strategic Framework is a collaborative effort through which administrators, faculty, staff and students created a living document for moving Washburn forward. This six-month process led to the identification of our mission, vision and values followed by priorities, objectives and initiatives. With guidance from the Washburn Board of Regents, Washburn implemented its Strategic Framework in February 2024.

Mission

Washburn creates educational pathways to success for everyone.

Vision

A premier community of higher learning focused on life and careers.

Values

Mission Terminology

Educational - Rigorous and intellectually stimulating. Washburn will provide learners with quality opportunities to learn from expert faculty, engage in critical thinking and explore new ideas. Curriculum content includes skill development for life and career readiness.
Pathways - A variety of options for learners to pursue their educational, civic and career goals. This includes two-year and four-year degrees, Masters and Doctorate degrees, continuing education, technical certificates, diplomas and apprenticeships. Pathways also means learners will have flexibility to choose the path that best meets their individual needs and interests, including inter-university and K-12 partnerships.
Success - As determined by each learner's unique perspective, dreams and journey.
Everyone - People of all backgrounds and life experiences.

Vision Terminology

Premier - Providing outstanding academic quality, teaching excellence, learner success and community engagement; qualifying as an Employer of Choice.
Community of Higher Learning - A supportive and collaborative environment where learners, faculty and staff can come together to learn from each other and to grow intellectually.
Focused on Life and Careers - Committed to preparing learners for success in both their personal and professional lives. This includes providing learners with the knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and civic values to develop to their full potential as individuals, citizens and professionals.

Values Terminology

Inclusion - Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all learners, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of their background or identity.
Modernization - Ensuring financial stability while developing new ideas, methods and technologies that improve teaching and learning, scholarship and the lives of others.
Partnership - Fostering collaboration among learners, faculty, staff and external partners to solve problems and achieve common goals.
Achievement - Demonstrating excellence by providing high-quality teaching and learning, conducting meaningful scholarship and producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.
Community - Becoming a valued community asset and an Employer of Choice.
Transformation - Helping learners to develop knowledge, skills and values.

Priorities, Objectives & Initiatives

Washburn identifies three priorities that serve as important guides in continuing to create a premier learning environment in which to learn, work and thrive. Each priority is equal in importance and is further expanded through objectives and initiatives to carry out those objectives.

Priority A: Expand Learner Success Opportunities and Pathways

Objective: Enhance current offerings and develop new and innovative academic pathways and programs

optimize academic portfolio of program offerings to attract learners and prepare graduates for success
increase number of experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom
meet needs of adult learners in the community we serve

Objective: Increase number of Northeast Kansans who participate in postsecondary education.

expand outreach and opportunities to Northeast Kansans to make postsecondary education a possibility for more learners
increase postsecondary attending rates of Northeast Kansans at Washburn
increase number of pathways with Kansas postsecondary institutions

Objective: Enable equitable opportunities.

increase academic success of all Washburn learners
grow number of learners from unrepresented groups
increase the number of students in targeted learning populations (first-generation, military, corrections, concurrent enrollment program and high school)

Priority B: Enhance Our Environment to Learn, Work & Thrive

Objective: Optimize campuses to offer superior learning and working environments.

develop a master plan for all campuses to 2030 and beyond
emphasize development of gathering spaces for learners, faculty and staff to learn, work and build community
execute the planned and funded building and renovation projects

Objective: Enhance work environment in order to become an employer of choice.

evaluate, develop and maintain competitive compensation and benefits for all employees
enhance training, orientation and ongoing professional development for all employees
evaluate and improve key operational processes

Objective: Foster an engaging and energetic environment of vibrancy, belonging and safety.

optimize engagement opportunities for all learners with academic, athletic, cultural, organizational and community activities
develop programs and activities that enhance a culture of wellness and belonging for all
foster safety of campus and engage city and county partners to improve safety in our surrounding community and on routes to campus

Priority C: Accelerate Collaborative Partnerships to Grow the Community

Objective: Fortify interdependent relationship among Washburn, Topeka and Shawnee County.

tell Washburn's story in our community and across the state to increase awareness and support of Washburn and its educational and cultural opportunities
promote Washburn in Topeka and Shawnee County, leveraging our partnership and programs to further develop a thriving college-town environment
support success of the community's strategic plan - Momentum 2027

Objective: Expand collaboration with education, business, industry and government to serve the needs of learners and employers.

further develop and formalize effective advisory boards with employers and leaders to inform and support curricula and programs
expand apprenticeship and internship opportunities for learners with regional employers
implement a best-practices, career-engagement model to provide comprehensive Career Engagement for learners and employers

Objective: Implement new state-of-the-art programs to support industry needs and enable economic growth.

collaborate and strengthen partnerships with K-12 schools in our community to support students in their learning journeys and paths to careers
develop interprofessional health-related educational programs and opportunities
create programs anticipating regional and state needs in manufacturing and aviation

Accreditation

Programs at Washburn Institute of Technology are included in the accreditation for Washburn University, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To file a complaint with the commission, please follow its stated procedures. Verification of affiliation can be found here.

HLC logo

Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Ill. 60604

Industry Accreditations

Many Washburn Tech programs are accredited by professional associations in their respective disciplines. Students graduate from our programs with assurance that their skills meet industry standards.

Accrediting Bodies

Auto Collision - ICAR
Automotive Service Technician - NATEF
Building Technology - NCCER
Cabinet/Millwork - NCCER
Commercial & Heavy Construction - NCCER
Practical Nursing - KSBN
Surgical Technology - CAAHEP

Institutional Research

Washburn Tech's Institutional Research (IR) is responsible for several functions such as gathering, analyzing and reporting data; identifying trends that may influence the success of the institution; and communicating to campus and external constituents about issues related to Washburn Tech.

Responsibilities also include developing, coordinating and assisting with survey design, data collection and analysis, documentation and dissemination of findings for varied projects. Those initiatives might include institutional assessment and effectiveness, program review, student demographics and enrollment patterns and student completion and retention studies.

Graduation & Retention

Fall Enrollment

Cost Comparison