Our Core Values and Guiding Principles
In the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, the National University System was established to meet a growing mandate for educational institutions that are more flexible, responsive and dynamic than traditional colleges and universities.
The mission of the System is to serve a broad range of constituencies that extends beyond National University's non-traditional student body to other underserved populations historically deprived of educational opportunities. Thomas Jefferson had a similar vision more than 200 years ago, understanding the essential link between an educated populace and an effective democracy.
The National University System, a modern embodiment of Jefferson's vision of educational opportunities conveniently and usefully available to everyone, "without regard to wealth, birth or other accidental conditions or circumstance," has expanded at a remarkable rate. In a few short years, the System has deployed the power of this concept by forming an array of educational and supporting institutions never before gathered under a single umbrella in the nonprofit sector.
The System has acquired and formed educational institutions of an exceptionally wide variety, allowing them to operate independently but within the framework - and with the support - of much larger and more stable entity. Even in its foundational period, the System is breaking ground through innovation strengthened by a steadfast commitment to academic quality.
The National University System, a modern embodiment of Jefferson's vision of educational opportunities conveniently and usefully available to everyone.