| Student-Centered Philosophy The development of a student-centered philosophy is a dominant theme in both the strategic planning and curriculum assessment processes at West Texas A&M University. Since the student-centered approach permeates and influences all aspects of the University, it is essential that the philosophy is well-defined and understood by all members of the University community. A student-centered university community is entirely committed to ensuring that students have opportunities to succeed in their academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, social, moral, and civic endeavors while they are enrolled as our students and throughout the remainder of their lives. All members of a student-centered university community assist students in achieving their individual academic and personal goals while meeting the goals described in the university’s mission statement. The student-centered institution inspires students to develop the attitudes and skills that are essential to a rewarding life of learning, leadership and service. West Texas A&M University exists first and foremost to provide a superb education to its students. Students and their development must be at the heart of all that we do. Furthermore, excellence in teaching is the sine qua non of our existence as an institution of higher education. In a student-centered environment, we are committed to the continuous improvement of our academic programs; we are committed to challenging students to excel; we are committed to providing students with timely feedback and assessment of their progress; we are committed to constantly adapting our pedagogy to provide a learning environment consistent with students’ learning styles; and we are committed to increasing students’ personal responsibility for learning by providing participatory learning opportunities. In a student-centered environment, our course schedules and classroom allocations are designed to best meet the needs of our students and maximize learning. Our student support services are accessible, inviting and structured to help students achieve their personal goals. Although a student-centered university strives to promote student success, the relaxation or reduction of academic standards or expectations cannot be considered as being a contribution to success. Students must be held to high standards in the classroom, in performances, in exhibiting their work, on the athletic field, or in any other arena of student endeavor. Expectations and goals are important aspects of the student-centered philosophy and must be encouraged campus-wide. A student-centered university enforces the rules, regulations, and policies fairly and consistently for all students. The interests of a single student or a group cannot outweigh the interests of the student community as a whole. Our most important contacts with students occur in teaching and advising interactions, but critical interactions also occur in admissions, registration, financial aid, residential life, and career services offices. It is imperative that the encounters students have with all employees at West Texas A&M University be productive and pleasant. In other words, all university employees must be empowered and willing to solve the problems that students bring to their doorsteps. The mission of West Texas A&M University is to be a student-centered learning community dedicated to educating tomorrow’s leaders through innovative academic and co-curricular undergraduate programs. Our role is to provide opportunities for students to reach their personal goals in a supportive, student-centered environment. Our goal is to exceed the expectations of our students, their parents, and the community that we serve. Each member of the university community is responsible for ensuring that West Texas A&M University is student centered. | 
