A UWC-USA education is designed to set students on a path toward transformational leadership and global activism, and equip them with the skills, values, and experiences to become powerful forces for justice and peace in the world.
The 18 UWC schools and colleges make up a movement that includes more than 60,000 alumni around the world. While each campus is distinct, the commitment to the mission is shared across the movement. Indeed, the UWC mission and philosophy is more relevant now than ever: given the tensions and crises that exist, the world truly needs the compassionate citizens, committed activists, and thoughtful leaders who graduate from UWCs.
No matter which school they attend, UWC students develop a deep sense of self, a passion for values in which they believe, and an understanding of their individual capacity to impact the world. Graduates are equipped and inspired to transform idealism into action. Taught the skills and values that reflect international understanding and deep respect for others, they are poised to lead positive change in their future communities, institutions, and beyond. The UWC movement has twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace Price.
The virtue and the strength of UWC is that it provides small, but powerful cells of innovation, catalysts for change, breaking barriers of habit and opening broader vistas of experience for both pupils and educationalists.”
Nelson Mandela, former UWC President
UWC-USA students dream of what they’ll do, not what they’ll be. So we’re preparing students to be leaders committed to solving the four main challenges to peace and sustainability in the 21st century, through our curricular, residential, and cultural and community service programs.
Economic, political, and social inequality between those at the center and those on the margins of societies worldwide.
Climate change, ecosystem destruction, and biodiversity collapse resulting from destructive modes of production, consumption, and land use.
Political polarization rooted in ideology, grievance, and uneven democratic practice/institutions.
Accelerated technological innovation that alters our relationships to information, work and each other.
Sustainability at UWC-USA also means that students develop personal sustainability by taking care of themselves and others. The objective of personal sustainability includes not only exercise and activity for students while on campus, but as a catalyst for living a healthy lifestyle going forward.
Personal wellness plans focused on physical activity and fitness serve as a counterpoint to rigorous academics.
Everyone contributes to campus life through weekly service as peer tutors, tour guides or in a variety of other roles.
Tending to the school’s farm, trails and recycling programs, students help minimize the school’s environmental impact.
Founded in the post-war era with the goal of preventing future conflicts, the UWC movement has peace in its very DNA. At UWC-USA, our commitments to Constructive Engagement of Conflict (CEC) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) form the core of our work in this area.
Students are empowered to responsibly and meaningfully engage with conflict, even when resolution seems unlikely.
Creating an inclusive, equitable and intentionally diverse community is at the heart of the UWC experience.
The nine core values of the UWC movement form the foundation for how individual schools and colleges around the world deliver on the vision that UWCers share. We strive to live these ideals as we navigate our time on campus in Montezuma and in the important work we do when we leave here for new communities and countries.
We build communities free from prejudice and intolerance, bringing together people from all backgrounds.
We act with honesty, take responsibility for our choices and hold ourselves accountable.
We support each other, knowing that collaboration and respect go hand in hand.
We show compassion through our actions and words, working to support others and make a positive difference.
We care for the planet and seek sustainable solutions in everything we do.
We believe that a better world is possible, and we work with others to help build it.
We grow by stepping outside of our comfort zones and learning through experience.
We don’t just talk about change – we take action and lead by example.
United World College-USA
P.O. Box 248
Montezuma, NM 87731
