Looking toward the next decade of growth and innovation, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas has introduced a revitalized mission statement that articulates its vision for transforming lives through education, research and creative expression.  

"This statement emphasizes that Fulbright College educates adaptable, intellectually curious leaders who will thrive in an increasingly complex world," said Brian E. Raines, the college's dean. "Our students have endless opportunities for discovery, and they can trust us to provide them the education they need to succeed." 

The college's new mission reads: 

The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is a vital public good.   

We provide a transformational education that prepares all students to lead and thrive in a complex world. Our research, scholarship and creative expression address society's great challenges and push the boundaries of human understanding.   

Fulbright College brings the world to Arkansas and Arkansas to the world. 

"Fulbright College's new mission statement reflects its enduring commitment to delivering life-transformative education, uplifting communities and strengthening the state's economy," said Provost Indrajeet Chaubey. "By preparing the next generation of doctors, scholars, lawyers, artists and leaders, Fulbright College is advancing our land-grant mission and building a brighter future for Arkansas and beyond." 

This renewed statement was developed through more than a year of listening, discussion and collaboration across the college, guided by input from a group of faculty, staff, students and alumni representing each of the college's 19 schools and departments and the dean's leadership team. In his first year leading Fulbright College, Raines engaged in a formal listening tour that generated more than 115 hours of conversations with faculty, staff and students and more than 90 opportunities to represent the college at engagements with alumni, community and industry leaders, donors and friends. 

"Just as I spent my first year as dean listening and learning, this mission statement came from collective wisdom rather than one person's vision," Raines said. "As we continue our strategic planning process, this statement will guide the work ahead." 

For Raines, a first-generation college student who first came to Arkansas as a young teenager, the mission also carries personal significance.  

"I've experienced firsthand how transformational higher education can be, and I truly believe that education is a fundamental public good," he said. "That's why this mission resonates so deeply with me. It doesn't just reflect what we do, but why it matters to students, Arkansas and the world." 

The mission statement will serve as the foundation for the college's upcoming strategic plan, a roadmap that will outline specific goals and measurable outcomes to guide the college's next decade of growth.   

Through this work, Fulbright College seeks to continue expanding opportunities for students, advancing discovery that benefits society and inspiring the next generation of leaders, creators and changemakers.