“Our values will guide how we do business going forward and will help us get even better at engaging and retaining our high-quality students, faculty, and staff.”
— UNT President Neal Smatresk
Values Resources
Values Toolkit
Download helpful tools such as worksheets, success cards, screensavers, email signature templates, a Teams background and PowerPoint presentation. These resources will help you better understand what our core values are, and how you and your teams can live those values in the workplace. Email communications@untsystem.edu with questions.
Need Event Banners or Handouts?
UBSC can provide standing pop-up banners that can be checked out, as well as a limited supply of free pens and accordion cards with values information.
Email ubsc@unt.edu to make a request.
Opportunities to Learn About Values
Throughout the year, our values will be prominently on display and discussed at a variety of campus activities. Be sure to join us July 19 for the President’s Staff Sack Lunch.
Values in Action
Knowing our core values is step one in the Values Journey! Living and expressing those core values in the workplace is the ultimate goal. Do you know someone who is living one or more of our core values that you would like to nominate as an example for us all? Tell us more about the Values Champions at UNT! We will select an individual to highlight bi-monthly and feature them on this website and in UNT Today. Email UNTtoday@unt.edu with your nominations.
Our Values Explained

Model exceptional standards and act in the best interest of our community.
- Build trust through consistent actions that are honest, transparent, and authentic.
- Provide, accept, and support open and constructive feedback.
- Hold yourself and others accountable for decisions, behaviors, actions, and results.
Watch a video featuring UNT community members sharing what Courageous Integrity means to them.

Cultivate opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating.
- Question the conventional with creative solutions.
- Engage in new experiences for learning and growth.
- Take strategic risk and learn from failure and success.
- Pursue collaborative opportunities.
Watch a video featuring UNT community members sharing what Be Curious means to them.

Champion a people-first approach to building relationships and community.
- Cultivate authentic connections that have a meaningful impact.
- Share expertise and resources.
- Recognize contributions and celebrate success.
- Help at least one person every day.
Watch a video featuring UNT community members sharing what We Care means to them.

Foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all.
- Develop awareness and understanding of different experiences.
- Respect diversity of people, beliefs, thoughts, and ideas.
- Support opportunities to remove barriers to equity and inclusion.
Watch a video featuring UNT community members sharing what Better Together means to them.

Exhibit passion and pride in the experiences we create.
- Go beyond the ordinary and surpass expectations.
- Be prepared, be present, and actively participate.
- Promote enthusiastic engagement.
- Cultivate a positive environment and find opportunities for fun and recognition.
Watch a video featuring UNT community members sharing what Show Your Fire means to them.
Messages from President Smatresk
- Great start to spring, join me at Jan. 26 values event – An Official Notice from the President (to faculty and staff) — Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023
- Shared values will make us stronger – An Official Notice from the President — Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
- Take the Values Poll by Nov. 4 to Join the Journey – An Official Notice from the President — Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022
- Please participate in values sessions Oct. 26-28 – An Official Notice from the President — Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022
UNT Values Committee Members
- Sian Brannon (Chair)
- Nandika D’Souza
- Melissa McGuire
- Dee Anna Oliveira
- Kevin Sanders
- Daniel Suda
- Kelley Pound
- Adam Chavez
- Kate van Saaze
- Jaymee Haefner
Get Involved!
Would you like to serve on a values team at UNT? Or share questions, concerns or recommendations? Use this feedback form.