Our Mission and Values
Our Mission
The mission of the university is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.
What We Believe
Informed by Lutheran higher education’s deep roots, we recognize the dignity of every person and their unique gifts as essential to the common good. We cultivate an environment where learning is both rooted in tradition and open to change, fostering curiosity, humility and the courage to address societal challenges.
Education at Cal Lutheran is a communal endeavor—one that calls us to give and receive in ways that build an inclusive and equitable society. We acknowledge the limits of our knowledge, yet remain steadfast in our pursuit of wisdom, justice, and the flourishing of all. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging is an extension of our faith-driven call to love and serve our neighbors. In doing so, we prepare students not just for their careers, but for meaningful lives of advocacy, leadership, and purpose in an ever-changing world.
Our Values
Grateful
We honor with deep gratitude the gifts of this university and the land on which it stands.
Inclusive
We celebrate diversity and actively foster a welcoming environment for everyone.
Curious
We pursue knowledge thoughtfully, recognizing the importance of how we ask questions and share what we learn.
Generous
We support one another, cultivating our talents for the community's benefit while appreciating the contributions of others.
Neighbor-oriented
We give our attention to those around us, understanding that our education and work extend beyond ourselves.
Cal Lutheran and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
"The 500-year-old Lutheran intellectual tradition lives on in ELCA higher education. The colleges and universities of the ELCA offer both undergraduate and graduate education in the best of liberal arts, pre-professional and professional education. Our schools are dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and the development the whole person. At ELCA colleges and universities, students are educated for a sense of calling or vocation, opening the path toward a meaningful life of contribution to the common good through whatever career they choose." ELCA Colleges and Universities
For more information about the common calling of ELCA colleges and universities, please read the joint statement by the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities: Rooted and Open