East Carolina University, a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina, is a public doctoral university committed to meeting the educational needs of North Carolina. It offers baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees in the liberal arts, sciences and professional fields, including medicine.

East Carolina University is dedicated to the achievement of excellence, responsible stewardship of the public trust, and academic freedom. The university values the contributions of a diverse community, supports shared governance, and guarantees equality of opportunity.

East Carolina University's motto is "Servire," meaning "To Serve," and it seeks to meet that obligation through the following interrelated components of its mission:

To Serve through Education

The educational mission of East Carolina University is to provide students with a rich, distinctive undergraduate and graduate educational experience. The university is committed to developing each learner's ability to discover, evaluate, and communicate knowledge; to make informed decisions; and to recognize a decision's ethical dimensions. The university also is committed to imparting a sense of citizenship and personal responsibility, fostering lifelong learning, and nurturing an understanding of the interdependencies of people and their environments.

To Serve through Research and Creative Activity

The research mission of East Carolina University is to advance knowledge, to encourage creative activity, to solve significant human problems, and to provide the foundation for professional practice through the support of basic and applied research. The university is committed to integrating research and creative activities in the educational experiences of students. It also is committed to enriching culture and being a leader in innovative research applications.

To Serve through Leadership and Partnership

The service mission of East Carolina University, as an institution with a tradition of strong regional ties and public outreach, is to provide leadership and to engage in partnerships supporting public education, health care and human services, cultural activities, and regional development.

Approved May 14, 1999, Board of Trustees. Approved by the UNC Board of Governors on January 14, 2000.