Mission, Vision & Principles
Sidebar
Mission Statement
The University of Louisville's mission is to educate and serve the public through transformative teaching, innovative research, and engaged partnerships — advancing knowledge and improving quality of life and health across Kentucky’s communities.
Vision Statement
The University of Louisville is where excellence and opportunity converge to drive transformative progress in health and societal well-being.
Cardinal Principles
At UofL, care is foundational. We look out for ourselves, one another and our greater community because we believe meaningful connection is the shared responsibility of every one of us. “We are UofL” is more than a phrase; it’s our powerful promise to show up for others with heart, pride and accountability.
We don’t just respond to change — we anticipate and embrace it. Agility means adapting quickly with purpose and creativity as new opportunities and challenges arise. Staying still isn’t an option; evolving is how we thrive.
We champion every individual’s humanity and perspective. Respect at UofL is the commitment to constructive engagement. We seek out and welcome differing views — even when they challenge us — because growth comes from honest, sometimes uncomfortable dialogue. Here, we prepare students for the real world by fostering an environment of mutual regard and challenging ideas, not protecting them from difficult conversations.
Diversity is the foundation of our strength and the essential element for true innovation. We are committed to intentionally creating an inclusive campus where students, faculty and staff from all backgrounds — representing a full spectrum of identities and experiences — can thrive, contribute and lead. Diversity is the heartbeat of our university. As the Kentucky motto declares: United we stand, divided we fall.
The way we build trust is through honesty, openness and ethical action. We share information freely, communicate with clarity and uphold the highest standards of academic and personal integrity in everything we do. And as a result, we create a culture where everyone around us feels informed and included.
Cardinals are united by a higher calling — to advance knowledge, empower student and employee success, and improve our community and the world. Every member of our campus plays a part in creating lasting, positive impact that extends far beyond the classroom. We know each one of us makes a difference.
At UofL, accountability means keeping our word and standing by our commitments to each other and the community we serve. We take responsibility for our actions, learn from our mistakes and continually strive to do what we say we will do — with commitment and purpose. This commitment extends to being responsible stewards of our resources and the environment, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our operations, community well-being and the planet.
Leadership at UofL means stepping forward with courage, compassion and vision to make a difference, no matter what our positions at the university are. We inspire and equip one another to lead with purpose — not for recognition, but to inspire progress and strengthen our community.