Wellesley’s mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world.
Non Ministrari sed Ministrare. “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” is Wellesley's motto—four Latin words that capture the College’s dedication to service and to cultivating leadership.
We advance our mission by working together as a community—faculty, students, staff, and alumnae—guided by deeply held shared values.
Our Values
Intellectual Discovery and Excellence
We believe in the transformative power of curiosity, learning, and teaching.
Gender Equality
As a women’s college, we have always been committed to gender equality as foundational to societal progress.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We affirm that diversity is essential to educational excellence, and we are committed to being a community in which each member thrives.
Connection and Community
We value the equal dignity of every member of the community and our sustained connection to one another, to our campus, and to our mission.
Empowerment and Social Change
We believe in the power and potential of our students and all members of our community to envision the world in which they want to live and to take action to make it real.
Integrity and Academic Freedom
We commit ourselves to high standards of personal and intellectual integrity, we embrace the principles of freedom and rigor in scholarly inquiry, and we assert the importance of holding to the truths such inquiry reveals.