Mission & Values

Chatham University prepares its students to build lives of purpose, value, and fulfilling work. Through professional skill development and liberal arts learning, Chatham prepares its graduates to be informed and engaged citizens in their communities; to recognize and respect diversity of culture, identity, and opinion; and to live sustainably.

To this end, our work in and out of the classroom prizes our core values of sustainability; women's leadership and gender equity; community engagement; and diversity and inclusion.

Photo of three Chatham University students at Eden Hall, harvesting sunflowers

Sustainability

Inspired by alumna and environmental pioneer Rachel Carson '29, sustainability is a cornerstone of our mission, operations, academic offerings, and impact–impact that has been recognized by a bevy of awards.

Explore Sustainability

Photo of two female Chatham University students side by side, smiling

Women's Leadership and Gender Equity

In 1869, we were founded to empower women and create a more just society. We celebrate this charge every day, through the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship, Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, Chatham Women's Business Center, and Chatham Women's Institute.

Learn About Gender Equity

Photo of a group of students at Multicultural Graduation, wearing colorful graduation attire

Diversity and Inclusion

We celebrate our range of voices and we work toward establishing more diverse, inclusive communities, on campus and around the world. We do this through our Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion offering academic support and disability services through the OAAR Center, and other initiatives on and off campus.

Explore Diversity & Inclusion

Photo of a Chatham University student working outside on a volunteer day

Community and Civic Engagement

Our commitment to serving our communities could be called singular, if it weren't so widely shared by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In fact, we've won an award for that, too.

View Community Engagement

Mission & Values in Action

In 2020, Sierra Magazine, the official publication of the Sierra Club, ranked Chatham University as the country’s 17th greenest university in its annual ranking of the nation's Cool Schools. This is the sixth year in a row that Chatham has earned this top 20 honor.