Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach

Mission

The Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach enriches the economic, cultural, personal, and professional lives of a diverse society, eliminating barriers to expand the educational resources of SIUE. We promote learning by providing accessible educational opportunities through the agile development of relevant, collaborative programs and partnerships.

Vision

Enriching. Empowering. Engaging. Education for All.

Core Values

The Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach (OSEO) operates with intentionality and cultural responsiveness as guiding principles that underpin our core values: excellence, integrity, cultural competence, access, collaboration, inclusion, curiosity and innovation.

Excellence: As members of the university, regional, and global community, we operate as stewards of excellence in thought, action, and accountability.

• We strive to hold ourselves accountable and go above and beyond by continuously evaluating, reflecting on, and realigning our processes and offerings to exceed the needs of the communities and partners we serve.
• We evaluate and assess our performance and the needs of others to own the commitment to contribute the highest quality of professional service.

Integrity: As members of the university, regional, and global community, we trust, value and respect the organization and the community we serve.

• We maintain confidentiality and follow industry standards and best practices.
• We build trust within and outside of the university.
• We are reliable and dependable.
• We operate with transparency to build trust.

Cultural Responsiveness: As members of the university, regional, and global community, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and appreciate the lived experiences, cultures, and beliefs of those around us so that we may work better together and be responsive to the real needs of those we serve.

• We are intentional in learning about the students and the communities we serve.
• We understand and value the cultural differences of our campus partners, students, and the community we serve.
• We recognize that cultural competence is necessary to make progress towards a thriving, equitable and inclusive community.
• We act with purpose to celebrate and respect the lived experiences of others.

Access: As members of the university, regional, and global community, we recognize that educational access is essential to maintaining an informed citizenry. Our purpose as advocates of educational opportunity is to remove barriers and create avenues of access to knowledge, innovation, creativity, and personal and professional development.

• We remove barriers and build pathways to ensure a welcoming and supportive environment for all, specifically underserved and underrepresented populations.
• We are committed to ensuring that all diverse populations and identities have access to programming and feel a sense of belonging.
• We provide opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and community partners to engage, learn, and grow.

Collaboration: As members of the university, regional, and global community, we recognize that collaboration is key to the success of our office.

• We engage with students, campus partners, and surrounding communities in community events and workforce development.
• We collaborate with community organizations to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• We strive to cultivate and sustain partnerships that advance our educational mission, impact on our regional economy, and combat racism and inequity.
• We work in unity, bringing ideas together and recognizing the value in teamwork.

Inclusion: As members of the university, regional, and global community, we strive to foster an atmosphere of nonjudgment, respect, and belonging. We recognize that giving equal space to all voices, ideas, and feedback allows us to work more creatively, efficiently, and effectively.

• We will create an environment where everyone feels valued and is empowered.
• We will create a work environment where everyone is treated equitably, respectfully, and has access to opportunities and resources.

Curiosity and Innovation: As members of the university, regional, and global community, curiosity drives us towards sustainable innovation that will have a lasting impact.

• We strive to foster a sense of discovery and creativity in our own work, our partnerships, and in the outreach opportunities we provide for the community.
• We approach tasks, challenges, and partnerships with humility and nonjudgment and are innovative in our input and our output.