How to Write an Effective
Mission Statement
Dyanne Herrera, MPH
Clarissa Gomez, Ph.D.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Training Objective
To understand vision and mission
statements, understand their role in strategy,
and learn how to create strong, effective
statements.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Introduction
• Vision statement = dream
• Mission statement = purpose
• Importance
– Communicates intent and purpose
– Communicates primary function and strategy
– Communicates benefits to clients/stakeholders
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
What is a mission statement?
A mission statement is a brief statement of the general
values and principles which guide the program or
office/department goals.
• Sets a tone and a philosophical position from which
objectives are developed
• Communicates the overall purpose
• Distinguishes the program or office/department from
similar areas
• Aligns clearly with the mission of TTUHSC El Paso
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Mission Statement
Contains:
• Program or office/department purpose
• Description of primary functions
• Description of clients/stakeholders
– Staff, students, patients, etc.
• Values (optional)
While a vision talks about the future, a mission tells us why
the program or office/department exists and what it is doing
right now.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Mission Statement Examples
Coca Cola
• To refresh the world…
• To inspire moments of optimism and happiness.
• To create value and make a difference.
McDonald’s
• To provide the fast food customer food prepared in the same
high-quality manner world-wide that is tasty, reasonably-
priced and delivered consistently in a low-key décor and
friendly atmosphere.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
TTUHSC El Paso Mission
Statement
The mission of the Texas Tech Health Sciences
Center El Paso is to improve the lives of people
in our state and our community by focusing on
unique health care needs of socially and
culturally diverse border populations through
excellence in integrated education, research,
and patient care.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
TTUHSC El Paso School
Missions
Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSOM)
The mission of the Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
is to provide an outstanding education and
development opportunities for a diverse group of
students, residents, faculty, and staff; advance
knowledge through innovation and research; and
serve the needs of our socially and culturally diverse
communities and regions.
TTUHSC El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine,
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/fostersom/about.aspx
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
TTUHSC El Paso School
Missions
Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing (GGHSON)
The primary mission of Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center Gayle Greve Hunt School of
Nursing is to provide quality educational programs
and advance excellence in health care for diverse
populations through programs of scholarship,
research, practice, and service.
TTUHSC El Paso GGHSON 2014-2015 Student Handbook,
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/son/documents/StudentCatalog_GGHSON_2014_2015_rv1.pdf
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
TTUHSC El Paso School
Missions
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS)
The mission of the Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences is to educate the next generation of
scientists and health-related professionals in a
dynamic and productive research environment that
fosters creativity and discovery.
TTUHSC El Paso GSBS 2014-2015 Student Handbook,
https://www.ttuhsc.edu/gsbs/documents/14_15Catalog_CourseList_FINALRev3.pdf
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Characteristics/Attributes of a
Well Written Mission Statement
• Is unique to your program/office/department
• Clarifies the distinctive purpose of your program/office/department
• Identifies signature features of your program/office/department
• Is short and concise
• Is easy to understand and remember
• Promotes alignment with the institutional/school/department
mission
• Withstands time, has longevity
• Is shared and visible (publicly available)
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Creating a Mission Statement
Here are four essential questions your mission statement must answer:
1. Who are we?
– State the name of your program or office/department (i.e. “The mission of TTUHSC El Paso
is_____”).
– Avoid vague pronouns like “Our mission is…”
2. What do we do?
– Includes the primary functions or activities of the unit.
– Illustrates the most important functions, operations, outcomes and/or offerings of the program
or office/department.
3. Why do we do it?
– State the purpose of the program or office/department.
– Should include the primary reasons why you perform your major activities or operations.
4. For whom do we do it?
– These are the stakeholders (e.g., students) of your program or office/department.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Structure of a Mission Statement
The mission of <the name of your program or
office/department> is to <your primary purpose(s)>
by providing <your primary functions or activities>
to <your stakeholder(s)>.
(Any additional clarifying statements.)
Note: The order of the pieces of the mission statement may vary from the above structure.
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Example: Academic Program
The mission of the Department of Pediatric
Dentistry at the XYZ School of Dentistry is to
educate students in childhood growth and
development as it relates to oral health in order
to produce competent and compassionate dental
professionals.
Program Name: Who
Primary Purpose: Why
Primary Function(s): What
Stakeholder(s): For whom
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
OIRE’s
Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Institutional
Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) is to ensure
institutional data integrity, consistency, and
accuracy; and to promote institutional
effectiveness through ongoing, systematic
planning and evaluation efforts in order to
support programs, faculty and staff in achieving
the institutional mission.
Program Name: Who
Primary Purpose: Why
Stakeholder(s): For whom
Primary Function(s): What
TTUHSC El Paso OIRE, http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/ire/
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Mission Statement Mistakes
• Too long
• Too general
• Not clear/vague
• Too boring
• Unbelievable
• Unachievable
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Characteristics/Attributes of a Poorly
Written Mission Statement
• Difficult to understand
• Unable to achieve
• Not relatable
• Does not accurately reflect functions
• Does not convey impact/influence
• Does not include/engage employees
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Checklist for a Mission Statement
• Is the statement clear and concise?
• Is it distinctive and memorable?
• Does it clearly state the purpose of the program or
office/department?
• Does it indicate the primary function or activities of the
program or office/department?
• Does it reflect priorities and values?
• Does it indicate who the stakeholders are?
• Does it support the mission of the school and institution?
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
References
• http://assessment.uconn.edu
– How to Write a Program Mission Statement
– Based on material from the University of Central Florida:
“UCF Academic Program Assessment Handbook”, 2005
and material from the University of San Diego.
• Leslie S. Collins, J.D., Senior Director for Institutional
Planning, Office of Institutional Planning and
Assessment (leslie.collins@ttuhsc.edu)
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER EL PASO
Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
