University Mission Statement
The mission of Utah State University is to be one of the nation's premier student-centered land-grant and space-grant universities by fostering the principle that academics come first; by cultivating diversity of thought and culture; and by serving the public through learning, discovery, and engagement.
University Role Statement
Utah State University fulfills a unique role in the Utah System of Higher Education as the state's land-grant and space-grant university. The land-grant designation makes Utah State responsible for programs in agriculture, business, education, engineering, natural resources, sciences, and the traditional core of liberal learning: humanities, arts, and social sciences. The University gives particular emphasis to programs involving the interaction of land, people, and the environment.
The University offers a broad array of doctoral and master's level degrees in areas appropriate to its mission. Hands-on learning is also a hallmark of its undergraduate programs.
Students in engineering class.
Utah State University is also a "Doctoral/ Research University - Extensive" institution, as designated by the Carnegie Corporation, meaning that, in selected areas historically associated with its designation as a land-grant and space-grant university, it provides doctoral and master's level education and supports and expects of its faculty significant research efforts. The University offers a broad array of doctoral and master's level degrees in areas appropriate to its mission. Hands-on learning is also a hallmark of its undergraduate programs.
As a space-grant institution, Utah State University plays a preeminent role in the development of the sciences and engineering associated with research and teaching about outer space. This includes the mission of the Space Dynamics Laboratory and its related components on the Innovation Campus.
Utah State develops knowledge as part of its discovery mission, as reflected in research generated by the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station and the Utah Water Research Laboratory, and disseminates this knowledge through technical assistance provided by Extension in each of the state's 29 counties. The land-grant mission also means that Utah State delivers degrees through Regional Campuses, whether through on-site or technologically delivered, time-enhanced methods throughout the state.
Taken together, these designations as a land-grant and space-grant university also mean that Utah State University has a leading role in economic development of the state and the region. These goals are realized through the effective transfer of research from the laboratory to commercial enterprises. To that end, Utah State University has an aggressive position in the identification of intellectual property, the commercialization of new technologies, and the development of research programs that will be of benefit to the state. USU also brings government, business, and education together on its Innovation Campus with the goal of stimulating economic development.