The College fulfills its mission by pursuing three ideals: excellence in education, the importance of community, and the principle of service. These ideals were handed down to us by the Marist Brothers who founded the College. Although Marist is now an independent institution governed by a lay board of trustees, the three ideals remain an integral part of the College mission.
The Marist ideal of excellence in education is achieved through an emphasis on quality teaching and distinctive learning opportunities. At the undergraduate level, this begins with a firm foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. Through core courses and their major field of study, students are educated to think logically and creatively, be able to synthesize and integrate methods and insights from a variety of disciplines, and effectively express their opinions both orally and in writing. Students are encouraged to consider the ethical dimensions of the subjects they study, and to become more aware of their own values and the value implications of the choices they make in their public and private lives. They are also exposed to cultures other than their own through on-campus programs and study abroad.
In addition to offering undergraduate programs to traditional-age students, Marist has a long history of serving the needs of adult learners for graduate, degree completion, and continuing education programs. The College offers these students an educational experience that meets the same high standards as our traditional undergraduate programs. Marist allows these students to balance their education with work and family responsibilities by offering flexible scheduling, alternative methods of program delivery, and satellite campuses.
Marist seeks to distinguish itself by the manner in which it uses information technology to support teaching, learning, and scholarship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College believes that by familiarizing our students with these advanced technologies, it better prepares them to be productive members of society and lifelong learners.
The Marist ideal of community is based on the belief that we become a better institution through the active involvement of faculty, staff, students, and alumni in the life of the College. At a time when social bonds in our society are tenuous, we seek to develop a relationship between our community members and the College that will last a lifetime. We do this by nurturing the development and well-being of all our community members. Of particular importance is assuring that the life of students outside the classroom is supportive of the educational goals pursued inside the classroom. We strive to be a diverse community but also one united by a shared commitment to the free exchange of ideas, consideration of the opinions of others, and civility in all our interactions.
Finally, Marist believes in the dignity of every human being and is committed to the principle of service. The College conducts programs for the disadvantaged, a wide variety of programs that meet community needs, and programs that broaden access to education. We encourage students, faculty, staff, and alumni to make service an important part of their lives. Students are encouraged to become involved in campus activities, programs that assist the less fortunate in our society, and service projects throughout the Hudson River Valley and around the world. By sharing their time and talents, students help make Marist a better place to live and learn while developing a sense of personal and civic responsibility.
