Mission Ambassadors

DePaul University needs the help and participation of faculty and staff across the institution to serve as leaders who sustain our Vincentian mission in vibrant, creative and effective ways. Becoming a Mission Ambassador enables you to build a sense of community with other faculty and staff who are dedicated to DePaul’s mission, while learning more about DePaul’s Vincentian heritage and best practices for integrating mission into your day to day life and work at DePaul.

Mission Ambassadors are DePaul faculty and staff who are active leaders for mission in and through their particular and diverse areas of work, as well as through their exemplary presence and collegiality within the DePaul community. Through their participation, Mission Ambassadors benefit from the ongoing the support and friendship of a community of colleagues learning and wrestling together with how to sustain and integrate DePaul’s Vincentian mission in meaningful ways within the context of real-life challenges and situations. 

Mission Ambassadors routinely bring a Vincentian mission sensibility, zeal, insight and perspective into their areas of work and to their relationships with colleagues and students. They serve as catalysts for mission through their actions and decisions, through the questions they raise, and through the way in which they work to build “a community gathered for the sake of a common mission.” In the Vincentian spirit, they reflect a commitment to fostering ongoing dialogue and learning, a diverse and inclusive community, a concern for justice and for “ennobling the God-given dignity” of all. Their work ultimately benefits students, who learn best in an environment that embodies and passes on this mission through the education they receive and the personalism and care they experience.

Any faculty or staff member may fulfill a set of core requirements to become a Mission Ambassador. Credit for previous participation, learning and contributions to the DePaul community related to the program pillars are part of the initial enrollment process.  These will be determined on a case-by-case basis in dialogue with a member of DMM’s Faculty and Staff Engagement team. Those seeking to work towards Mission Ambassador recognition should:

1)      Complete a statement of intent to participate and work towards recognition as a Mission Ambassador.

2)      Participate in Sustaining the Mission, the required introductory program for Mission Ambassadors focused on mission integration – that is, application of DePaul’s Vincentian mission to day to day life and work at DePaul.

3)      Show evidence of deeper learning and engagement related to at least three of the remaining pillars of the program:

(a)    Vincentian History and Heritage;

(b)    Service, Social Justice, and Systemic Change;

(c)     Spirituality and Purpose;

(d)    Commitment to the DePaul Community.

4)      Complete a final application, which consists of a brief personal statement and defining mission integration goals.

5)      Arrange for an Interview/Discussion to discuss a mission integration plan as well as goals for ongoing participation, learning and formation.

6)      Plan to participate in quarterly Mission Ambassador meetings.

The requirements listed above can be met in a number of ways and allow for a flexible approach to scheduling and personal needs and interests of faculty and staff members. We hope to make more of these requirements possible through online modules over time. Contact a member of DMM’s Faculty and Staff Engagement team with any further questions.

Mission Ambassadors serve as vital agents of mission integration and mission effectiveness within the DePaul community through their actions and the integrity of their relationships and personal presence. As designated Mission Ambassadors, they are part of an active and intentional community of practice for mission with other faculty and staff, and therefore they commit to quarterly meetings for ongoing Vincentian learning and formation and for sharing effective practices and personal experiences with others. The actions that Mission Ambassadors take depend heavily on the context and situation of their work in the institution. There is no one prescribed way for them to do the work of Vincentian mission integration and effectiveness.

Contributions that Mission Ambassadors offer as an agent and leader of DePaul’s Vincentian mission could take many different forms. Some examples might include:

·         Leading or coordinating Vincentian learning and reflection for their areas/teams. This might include working to identify, develop or reflect regularly on guiding Vincentian mission-based principles or resources that can assist their areas/teams in daily work and decision-making related to the service they provide to students.

·         Integration of Vincentian principles into classes or research, connecting Vincentian mission to their particular academic discipline, or to the experience of students in their programs.

·         Working collaboratively with other Mission Ambassadors to offer shared programs related to Vincentian mission.

·         Participating in and helping to lead Vincentian mission engagement programs and events, including those done in partnership with the Division of Mission and Ministry.

A few common domains Mission Ambassadors might explore for ongoing learning and deeper mission integration include:

·         Personal Ongoing Development and Learning

·         Modeling and Cultivating Vincentian Personalism in Relationships

·         Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

·         Thought Leadership

·         Community-Building

·         Service, Justice and Community Engagement