---
title: Our Guiding Principles
date: 2026-07-06T15:32:30-04:00
canonical_url: "https://strategic-plan-prod.umd-servd.com/principles"
section: Guiding Principles Home
---
#  Guiding Principles 

We must be united in our noble and fearless purpose, because celebrating differences and leveling societal inequities must be among our greatest strengths, because grand challenges demand fearless ideas, and because progress will not be measured in individual achievement, but in our collective accomplishments.

 

    ![A group of students at commencement](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/Commencement_SC_05202018_3187_Final-2.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528619&s=9ad910774c8dadddd61fda35632bf7df)We are committed in all endeavors to surpass good and great to reach new levels of preeminence.

 

 Values-driven Excellence

   ![Small buttons of all different colors with different pronouns on them including they, she, he, ze, and others.](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/Pronouns_Buttons_10162018_9518.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528798&s=7085b24517b7b8fbd81c72b13bab5417)We are strongest when embracing voices, ideas, perspectives, identities, and experiences across our campus. Together, we work toward justice.

 

 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

   ![A group of people wearing white and beige jumpsuits and medical gloves sit outdoors beneath leafy, green trees](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/TickControlProject_SC_06102018_3974-1200x630.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528691&s=81d972f6a3df8f9d6794b07f6505f888)We envision and create a better future for our state, nation, and world through research, education, and service.

 

 Impact

   ![Undergraduate team of students winning the Clark School's Alumni Cup](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/innovation-sized.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528617&s=729068b59a3a7ee9602e92132e7f65b3)We aim to transcend the status quo, think creatively, and act to take on the grand challenges of our time.

 

 Innovation

   ![One person presents from a chart while other students site at a round table.](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/ESJLTCClassroom_11132019_JC_1161-fixed.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528769&s=18eb1e69390554c4022582227d66dc49)We accomplish more when we work together for a common purpose.

 

 Collaboration

   ![The Mid-Maryland Mission of Mercy and Health Equity Festival](https://umd-sysprovost.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/strategicPlan/service-to-humanity-sized.jpg?w=800&h=800&q=80&fm=webp&fit=max&dm=1783528614&s=703bbaa82b248a177123333326048cda)We are guided by an unwavering commitment to all of our constituencies—students, faculty, staff, partners, allies, and alumni— to fearlessly forge a better world for all humankind.

 

 Service to Humanity

  

 

   **FEARLESSLY FORWARD IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND IMPACT FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD:** THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STRATEGIC PLAN is a living document and will evolve and grow as we do. Please visit this site to follow our progress as we move fearlessly forward. [Text Version](https://umd-sysprovost.files.svdcdn.com/production/files/strategicPlan/strategic-plan-text-2022.txt?dm=1783627393)

 

  [ View Digital PDF (Issuu) ](https://issuu.com/umaryland/docs/strategicplan2022?fr=sNDZhNTQ2MzkxOTM)