Explore the University's Vision, Mission & Values
At Trent, learning has always been shaped by connection. By the relationships between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and communities. By curiosity, thoughtful inquiry, and the belief that education should open pathways to opportunity and purpose.
The vision, mission, and values shared here reflect those defining qualities of the Trent experience. They were shaped through conversations across the University community about what distinguishes Trent, what we aspire to be, and how we continue to grow while remaining grounded in the principles that guide our teaching, learning, research, and engagement.
Together, these statements express a shared direction for the University and a commitment to meaningful learning, strong communities, and the potential in all who learn and work here.
Vision
Who we aspire to be
Trent is the place to be and become, engage in meaningful learning and build community. We provide the space and experiences that forge pathways to opportunity.
Mission
What Trent does
At Trent University, we stand out by standing closer. We connect people and ideas, championing the potential in all – from learning to legacy.
Values
Our values build culture and inform how we learn and lead together, with substance, soul, and space.
Curiosity with Purpose
We work with purpose and passion to foster inquiry. We value curiosity as a life-skill that fosters constructive, creative and critical thinking.
Healthy and Sustainable Environments and Communities
Through our teaching, learning and research, we advance sustainable practices and innovations that build community and enhance the health of the planet.
Indigenous Truth, Reconciliation, and Resurgence
We foster an environment where Indigenous Knowledges are respected and recognized as an important means by which we understand the world. We are committed to advancing Indigenous resurgence through respectful partnerships and shared learning.
Sense of Belonging
We offer the space for people to find their place, to learn through experience, and to contribute meaningfully to knowledge sharing.
Networked Scholarship and Free Inquiry
We cultivate scholarship and view collaboration, partnerships, and interdisciplinarity as vital to learning and inquiry. We value academic freedom and encourage the pursuit of a broad range of ideas and engaged discourse.
DOWNLOAD & PRINT TRENT'S VISION & MISSION
The Process
The development of Trent’s renewed vision, mission, and values involved broad engagement across the university and beyond.
Key elements of the process included:
- Listening sessions: Conversations with faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.
- Consultations: Discussions during meetings of the Board of Governors, Senate, Faculty Board, staff groups, and community partners.
- Broader engagement: Surveys and focus groups that gathered perspectives from alumni, donors, and voices across Peterborough, Durham, and beyond.
Insights gathered through these conversations were reviewed and refined through several iterations before being presented for approval.
Timeline
| Fall 2024 | Initial consultations and listening sessions |
| Winter 2025 | Committee-based discussions across the University Broader internal and external engagement Survey distribution |
| Spring 2025 | Data collation and review by external consultant |
| Fall 2025 | Presentation of draft statements and refinement through further discussions |
| February 2026 | Senate approval of vision and mission |
| March 2026 | Board of Governors approval of vision and mission |