Our community engaged in a multi-year process around the skills, attributes and traits necessary for our graduates.  Our students live in a world best defined by the theory of V.U.C.A. (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous).  The result of our discussions, feedback received from our community, and staff was our newly-adopted Portrait of the Graduate.  This new tool will inform our strategic plans, be embedded in our curriculum, and provide the North Star in uncertain times and a pathway to address complexity, volatility and ambiguity.

• Possesses broad knowledge in academic subjects, the arts, and new literacies.

• Articulates thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written, and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts.

• Improves thinking by continuously analyzing and reflecting on one’s own and others’ thinking.

• Communicates effectively using multiple languages and media to make meaningful connections.

• Engages in continuous scholarship and life-long learning.

• Possesses the disposition, strategies, and desire to learn, unlearn, and relearn especially in an uncertain, ambiguous environment.

• Demonstrates agility in thoughts and actions.

• Skillfully transfers past learning into new situations.

• Takes an active role in setting learning goals, uses strategies to achieve them, and reflects on the outcomes.

• Shows strong understanding and belief of self to engage in reflection for individual improvement and advocacy.

• Builds relationships with others through trust and compassion.

• Collaborates with others to reach consensus or compromise, takes a stand, and encourages positive action.

• Acts honestly, courageously and ethically for the interests of the larger community and greater good.

• Communicates skillfully to inform, influence, motivate, and inspire others.

• Engages in personal responsibility and citizenship.

• Demonstrates cultural competence and sensitivity in a sustainable, interdependent world.

• Demonstrates kindness.

• Values and embraces diverse perspectives and cultures through open dialogue and mutual respect.

• Takes action in personal and collective behaviors that support stewardship of the environment.

• Contributes to making the world a better place.

• Engages in care for self and others as daily practices to support physical, social, and mental well-being.

• Develops an understanding of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

• Listens with compassion and understanding and share and react to others’ feelings.

• Finds humor and joy in life and revels in beauty, phenomena, and wonderment of the world.

• Persists in the face of adversity and finds new solutions to problems.

• Shows curiosity, originality, inventiveness, and new ways of thinking about things.

• Takes risks and know how to develop, organize, and manage new initiatives and/or ventures.

• Engages in problem-solving, inquiry, and design to solve problems to create value for others.

• Demonstrates awareness, sensitivity, concern, and respect to connect with others’ feelings, opinions, experiences, and culture.