The Western Texas College Board of Trustees approved revised Mission, Vision, and Values statements during its June 8 meeting, establishing a renewed foundation for the College’s future and reinforcing its commitment to student success, workforce development, and community impact.
The updated statements are the result of extensive input gathered through President Laurie Sharp’s Listening Tour, which engaged students, employees, trustees, community leaders, workforce partners, and other stakeholders across the region. The conversations identified recurring themes centered on student success, workforce relevance, community engagement, collaboration, accountability, and access.
“Throughout the Listening Tour, we heard a consistent message about the important role Western Texas College plays in changing lives and strengthening our communities,” said Dr. Laurie Sharp, President of Western Texas College. “These statements reflect who we are, what we value, and where we are headed as an institution committed to serving students and our region.”
The Board-approved Mission Statement affirms that “Western Texas College empowers students to achieve educational, workforce, and life goals through high-quality learning, holistic support, and strong community partnerships.”
The new Vision Statement states that “Western Texas College is a student-centered, workforce-aligned, and community-anchored institution that expands access, strengthens connection and engagement, and prepares learners to thrive in a changing world.”
The College’s values are reflected in three statements:
Students First: We design learning, services, and systems around student success and completion.
Better Together: We collaborate across the college and with our communities to expand opportunity and impact.
Do What’s Right: We act with integrity, accountability, and care in all we do.
The approval comes as Western Texas College prepares to formally launch its new strategic plan, “Serving Students Together: A 10-Year Strategy for Western Texas College (2026–2036),” which will be presented to the Board in July. The strategic plan will outline institutional priorities and initiatives designed to strengthen student outcomes, support enrollment growth, expand workforce and academic pathways, and enhance organizational effectiveness.
“These statements provide a clear and enduring framework for decision-making, planning, and continuous improvement,” Sharp said. “They position us to move forward together with a shared purpose and a strong focus on the students and communities we serve.”
The revised Mission, Vision, and Values will guide the College’s strategic planning, institutional effectiveness efforts, accreditation activities, and stewardship of resources as WTC continues to advance opportunities for learners throughout West Texas.