Our Vision

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania will be the premier educational model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility.

Our Mission

Established in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania continues to build on its legacy as America’s first institution of higher education for African-Americans. Our Mission is to equip and empower students of diverse backgrounds to be visionary leaders in their chosen fields. We offer innovative approaches to teaching and quality academic programs that expose our students to pioneering ideas, research, and civic engagement. Our transformative approach to student development emphasizes the whole person, fostering success in the classroom, on campus, and in life.

Our Values

Scholarship

Cheyney University is committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students. 

The University values the close relationship between scholarship, teaching, and research and strongly supports academic programs which integrate research and teaching. Scholarship at Cheyney University is focused on preparing students to excel in their chosen fields of study and to become leaders. 

Diversity

The University demonstrates its commitment to diversity by offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education. Diversity and multiculturalism are integral to the University and are reflected through our academic programs and curriculum. Our diverse alumni, faculty, and staff reflect the local, national and international community and help prepare Cheyney University students for success in the global community. 

Cheyney University recognizes how valuable its unique diversity is in contributing to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. 

Integrity

In order to demonstrate the highest ethical standards for personal and professional accountability, University faculty and staff encourage students to take responsibility and accountability for their actions and to act with integrity at all times. 

Respect

Respect for all individuals is at the heart of Cheyney University. The University demonstrates its continued commitment to freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment for its entire family. In the spirit of free and open discourse, the University recognizes shared governance as the means for the voices and opinions of the faculty, staff, and students to be heard. 

Service

Service permeates the Cheyney University campus community. Our faculty and staff demonstrate their commitment to students by providing timely and high-quality support to meet their needs. Similarly, faculty, staff, and students provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service. 

Why These Matter to Us

At Cheyney, our Vision, Mission, and Values are much more than lofty statements that decorate the walls of our campus buildings. We think of them as guideposts that inform our priorities, our decisions, our actions and our interactions with students and each other. In short, we strive to live them each and every day.