Mission and Identity
Mission
Rochester University prepares students for professional and personal success as they serve in God's world.
Values
Rochester University welcomes students into a supportive community with personalized attention.
Rochester University calls students to discover and develop their unique gifts and abilities to participate in the redemptive work of God.
Rochester University engages students in a rigorous and holistic education for professional and personal success.
Vision
Rochester University will cultivate a diverse and welcoming community of learners among students, faculty, and staff for the sake of participating in God's mission in the world. Learning together the way of Christ, we will serve in neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations with justice and mercy. Sharing life in the spirit of God, Rochester University graduates will contribute creativity, knowledge, and integrity to our rapidly changing world.
Heritage
In 1954, members of the Churches of Christ formed a Board of Trustees to establish a college in the north central United States. The new Board purchased land near rural Rochester, Michigan, and the first students arrived at North Central Christian College in 1959. Several years later, NCCC became Michigan Christian College. In 1997, the Board adopted the name Rochester College. That year, the Board reaffirmed the founders’ dedication to the task of leading students toward high academic achievement and the development of Christian ideals and character. In 2019, Rochester College became Rochester University.
Over the years, the campus of Rochester University has grown, and administration and faculty have continued to develop and modify programs that meet the changing needs of our students.
In a typical year, students arrive from 20 states and about 10 different nations. Alumni are scattered in many places around the country and the world.
Since its inception, Rochester University has emphasized the importance of combining academic excellence with Christian ideals. While the university admits students of all ethnicities and religions and carefully explains varying worldviews in relevant courses, it employs only those professors and instructors who understand, model, and teach the Christian faith. Regardless of their discipline, faculty members routinely relate their subject matter to relevant principles and concepts of the Christian faith.
Rochester University Ethos
Rochester University Ethos: employees support the mission, vision, and values of Rochester University by committing embodying the ethos of the institution.
Student Focus – We consider, prioritize and respond to the needs of our students in everything we do. We design and evaluate each policy and process in a way that enhances the student experience. As we interact with students, we engage them in ways that demonstrate their dignity, potential and worth.
Continuous Improvement – As creatures made in the image of the Creator God, we strive to see things as they could be, anticipate what lies ahead, foster creative processes and embrace constructive change. We cultivate a constant sense of awareness and action concerning how we can improve personally, professionally and as an organization, and how we can be part of a solution leading toward improvement.
Collegiality – We value and strive to live as a community marked by selflessness, humility, truth, boldness in communication, respect, collaboration and koinonia. We listen well, take an interest in others and support their work. We will also hold others accountable for unhealthy and destructive behaviors and attitudes, but only after first looking inward.
Stewardship – We recognize that we are the keepers of a legacy and a mission. We practice extreme ownership of the work of this institution, and eagerly accept responsibility for the results and outcomes affected by our actions and behaviors. We respect the facilities and property of the institution, revere the mission, and use our resources wisely.