Christopher Newport University will provide cultural and intellectual opportunities for the community. The University and its students, faculty and staff will be involved in outreach to the community, region and state by providing meaningful public service and civic participation consistent with the mission of the institution. The university community will provide economic, civic, scientific, educational and cultural partnerships characterized by intellectual honesty and professional and civic leadership developed in an academic culture that fosters independent learning, a broad understanding of the world, and personal responsibility.

The region, state and nation will benefit from the graduates of the University through an educated, intelligent and engaged citizenry committed to the values of liberal learning. Through its graduates, the University will provide outstanding, ethical leaders and service-oriented citizens. These graduates will understand the value of a democratic society. They will be dedicated to the well being of a diverse society, and successful professionals with the capacity to adapt to change.

University Priority V

An Engagement between the Campus and Larger Community
A dynamic university community whose members will transform and energize the cultural, intellectual, and economic life of the region.

Goals and Strategies

• Provide programming in the Ferguson Center for the Arts to draw and engage the region.
• Establish campus-wide events to attract students and members of the faculty, staff, alumni and community.
• Establish an on-going, broad-based event that connects the campus and community.
• Promote and encourage community interest in and access to the library.

• Build, promote and reward a culture of civic participation among students, faculty and staff.
• Promote and coordinate student, faculty and staff community service.
• Sustain a core of Hampton Roads students as an integral part of the campus population.

• Welcome use of campus venues for community events as facilities expand.
• Promote community and family benefits of NCAA athletic competition.
• Create programs to attract elementary, middle and secondary school students to the campus.
• Promote student capstone educational internships as a resource for the community.
• Cultivate common interests between employers and the university.

• Participate in and partner with the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
• Promote the benefits of the Applied Research Center.
• Continue to lead in the renewal of the Warwick Boulevard corridor.
• Cooperate with the city to maintain a safe surrounding neighborhood.
• Expand the geographic reach and opportunities for alumni involvement with the university.
• Nurture existing and create new university-related community support groups (e.g., Alumni Society Board of Directors, CNU Educational Foundation, Friends of Music, LifeLong Learning Society, School of Business Advisory Board , Theater Guild).
• Link faculty-student research with potential for economic development to area businesses and corporations.
• Foster the University's role in providing academic and technical support to the business community.