Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and animated by the vision of Catherine McAuley, is a Catholic college in the liberal arts tradition distinguished by its welcoming community. We foster an ongoing dialogue between faith and reason so as to prepare our learners to live meaningful lives that improve the world around them.

In fulfillment of this mission, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine will:

• Foster a strong academic community dedicated to the pursuit of truth through serious study, integration of knowledge, and an ongoing dialogue between faith and reason.
• Encourage all students to explore the arts and sciences widely while they also prepare to live ethical and meaningful lives.
• Provide a strong foundation for graduate study, professional service, and career advancement.
• Offer as an extension of its Mission to multiple areas of the world, both degree and non-degree programs through distance education.
• Enhance students’ awareness of human dignity and the meaning of life.
• Advocate for justice and peace in recognition of each person’s responsibility for the welfare of both humankind and the environment.

In fulfillment of its mission, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine will be a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community that forms individuals who practice humility, justice, and compassion, as Jesus did, in solidarity with the marginalized.

The values of the College, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and in the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, are the foundation for the College’s educational mission. Taken to heart, these values exist at our very core; they are made visible in our daily interactions. Through a process of discernment based on dialogue and reflection, we designate the following as the Core Values for our College.

Faith

Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, nevertheless, we respect diverse religious traditions and honor each individual’s religious beliefs. Through the curriculum, sacramental opportunities, and co-curricular activities, we invite all members of the College community to develop their faith as an essential dimension of their lives.

Excellence

As a Catholic liberal arts college, we seek to combine faith with reason in the pursuit of academic excellence. We call on all members of the College community to excel as individuals and as professionals within their specific roles.

Integrity

Concerned for the common good as individuals and as a community, we commit ourselves to honesty in all relations with students, faculty, staff, and administration. Through our integrity, we maintain the trust of the surrounding community and of public and governmental agencies.

Community

Informed by the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, we demonstrate our spirit of connectedness with one another through our expressions of hospitality, courtesy, inclusive relationships, shared values, and collaboration. We extend this value of community by reaching out to neighbors and to members of the broader civic and ecclesial communities.

Respect 

Mindful of the achievements of the past, we value and respect the contribution of each member of the Saint Joseph’s College of Maine community to the advancement of our mission. We encourage and support each other as colleagues working together for the good of the whole institution.

Compassion

Inspired by the example of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, we open our hearts to those among us in physical, psychological, or spiritual need. We consciously reach out beyond our college boundaries to serve the needs of others with compassion and mercy.

Justice

Recognizing the dignity of all persons, we seek to address instances of injustice both within and outside our College community from a stance of informed advocacy. We hold ourselves accountable to each other and endeavor to practice responsible stewardship of the resources available to us.