Mission and Vision

Definition:

At Carson-Newman University, “Christian educators” are followers of Christ who exhibit excellence in their work and whose teaching, leadership, and service are distinctively Christian.

Rationale:

According to James 3:1, the role of teacher is one that entails extraordinary accountability. Much is at stake, consequently, in discerning the standards to which Christian educators must aspire. Not only is such discernment integral to effective recruitment, development, and assessment of members of the Carson-Newman community, but it is also essential to our university’s responsibility to go about its task in such a way that pleases God. All employees of Carson-Newman are Christian educators, whether they deliver instruction directly to students in the classroom or otherwise contribute to the university’s mission of forming students.

Three facets of this definition merit explanation.

Followers of Christ
Perhaps the most basic quality of a Christian educator is that this person is in fact a follower of Jesus Christ. To have placed one’s faith in Christ is an essential component of any Christian educator’s identity. Likewise, a Christian educator will faithfully engage with a local body of believers through attendance and service in a local church.

Excellence in their work
Excellence in one’s work should be the standard for anyone calling oneself a Christian, since the Christian’s professional activity is to be carried out in service of Jesus Christ. The Christian educator exhibits excellence in one’s labor, holding oneself to no lower professional standards than one’s non-Christian counterpart.

Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (ESV).

Distinctively Christian
The Christian educator at Carson-Newman facilitates learning that is distinctively Christian in nature. To be sure, the manner in which the Christian faith informs the work of the educator will differ significantly from one division of the university to another and from one academic discipline to another. Nevertheless, the education that Carson-Newman offers students is Christian in nature, and every educator in the university plays an integral role in facilitating this learning.

Definition:

At Carson-Newman University, as bearers of God’s image, students reach their “full potential” when they achieve all that God has called them to be and to do.

Rationale:

Carson-Newman University’s commitment to its students is to help them achieve their full potential through discovery of their God-given identity, mastery of their gifts, and fulfillment of their vocations. This pursuit of full potential is two-fold: students prepare for their vocations, and they refine their values grounded in Christian character and service.

Two facets of this definition merit explanation.

Vocation
Academically, full potential means mastery and direction, where students clearly understand their talents and opportunities, have mastery of the indispensable skills and knowledge to fulfill them, and possess a determined direction and action plan upon graduation.

Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (ESV).

Ephesians 4:12-13 “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (ESV).

Christian Character
Full potential is inseparable from Carson-Newman’s ethos as a Christian university. The university locates the source of human fulfillment as bearers of God’s image in the redemptive message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Carson-Newman seeks to help its students develop a Christian ethos, because humanity thrives through relationships grounded in dignity, trust, creativity, and love. Academic excellence and personal character informed by these virtues are central to the university’s understanding of “full potential.”

Mark 12:30-31 “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these’ (ESV).

II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (ESV).

A Carson-Newman graduate’s ultimate achievements will take a lifetime, but the university’s purpose is to maximize its students’ preparedness for those achievements.

Definition:

At Carson-Newman University, “educated citizens” of the Kingdom of Heaven are flourishing human beings who are catalysts for good.

Rationale:

Carson-Newman University is committed to developing “educated citizens,” who love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, are equipped with a broad education, and engage with society in a godly manner. Educated citizens foster goodness by exhibiting the Christian characteristics of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking with humility.

Three facets of this definition merit explanation.

Citizenship of the Kingdom of Heaven
Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are considered citizens of heaven. They love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and they love their neighbor as they love themselves. To live out this citizenship, citizens will faithfully engage with a local body of believers through attendance and service in a local church (Matt 22:37-39).

Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV).

Flourishing human beings
Becoming an educated citizen goes beyond formal schooling; it involves ongoing engagement with the world and a commitment to making informed, ethical decisions that contribute to society’s progress. A human who flourishes pursues a comprehensive education and recognizes the need for lifelong learning.

Proverbs 18:15: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (ESV).

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (ESV).

Catalysts for good
Educated citizens believe Truth, Beauty, and Goodness are values to further the Kingdom of Heaven while interacting with the world around them. Fostering goodness means promoting and living out foundational virtues of justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:8).

Definition

At Carson-Newman University, “worldwide servant-leaders” selflessly serve their communities and the world following the example of Christ as they embrace responsibility in leadership.

Rationale

When Carson-Newman University refers to “Worldwide Servant-Leaders,” it reflects a commitment to developing graduates who embody biblical principles of humility, selfless service, and stewardship.  At the very heart of servant leaders is the willingness to take up the towel of Jesus and ministering to those in need as disciples of Christ.

Three facets of this definition merit explanation.

Selfless Service
Graduates lead with humility, prioritizing the needs of others in their positions of leadership. This reflects Christ’s model of servant-leadership, where leading means serving and encouraging others to realize their inherent worth as God’s image bearers

Mark 10:43-45: “… But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (ESV).

Responsible Servant Leadership
Graduates are prepared to occupy places of leadership in a variety of fields—education, ministry, healthcare, business, among others—and to use their God-given talents to serve others. This reflects the belief that leadership is a platform for service, not for self-promotion.

1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (ESV).

Community and World Focus
The term “worldwide” emphasizes that this leadership and service mindset extends both locally and globally. It is grounded in a rigorous Liberal Arts education. Graduates are prepared to engage with diverse cultures, applying biblical principles to address needs and to promote stewardship in various contexts. The Great Commission calls the Carson-Newman family to impact people and communities across the globe, promoting faith and stewardship wherever they go.

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (ESV).