From the director's desk . . .

Dear ELI Friend, "Through an unwavering commitment to excellence and renewal, the ELI faculty and staff endeavor each day to enhance our reputation as a leader among intensive English programs."

DIRECTOR SCOTT STEVENS

This is the introductory sentence to ELI's mission statement, posted throughout our academic buildings and published both on our website and in our brochure. Adopted by our faculty and staff in May 1999, the mission statement was some 18 months in the making.

Why did it take so long? The answer to that question lies within the definition of a mission statement -- a document which was to be ELI's constitution, articulating the principles we follow, the vision we share of our goals and our commitment to our clients and to ourselves. In addition, it was imperative that the final document be written by everyone --all 50 of us-- if we were to take personal responsibility for fulfilling the mission statement's vision. Our talented colleagues generated many ideas which took time to be distilled, discussed and negotiated.

In retrospect, the time was well spent, for it gave all of us a chance to see ELI through the eyes of our clients, to recall the hundreds of glowing comments, emails, and letters we have received over the years and to reflect upon why our graduates recommend us to their friends, families and colleagues.

Former ELI students' correspondence is filled with praise for the quality of our teachers and tutors, frequently describing them as the best instructors they ever had. Thus one of our first mission statements was a commitment to do what we have been doing for many years:

"Recruit only the most talented and experienced English language specialists and staff and promote their continued professional growth."

In other words, our goal is to make our outstanding faculty even stronger through training, professional development and the recruiting of new teachers.

Another familiar refrain of our alumni is the thanks for a staff or faculty member's special efforts to help them through a problem or crisis. This sentiment gave rise to two mission commitments:

"Meet the ordinary and extraordinary needs of our students, ensuring that their experience at ELI is productive and fulfilling" and "Assume personal responsibility for solving problems."

For us, the difference between adequate and excellent service lies in how we respond when a student's problem comes at an inconvenient hour or requires much time and energy to resolve. We tell every new student at orientation that ELI is a lot like a 7-11 convenience store: we're open 24 hours a day, if they need us.

In the end, however, our most cherished promise to our clients was one of idealism:

"Contribute to international understanding by engaging students in meaningful inter-cultural exploration."

A truly excellent program is always much more than the sum of efficiency and effectiveness in its delivery of services. Rather, the employees of the best organizations are those who try to contribute to the betterment of society -- or even the world.

ELI has always been more than a very good language program. For the past 20 years, it has been our humbling privilege to have witnessed the healing of inherited intercultural wounds and enmity, the transcending of bigotry and the overcoming of ignorance. After several months of earnestly studying and living with classmates from all over the world, our students graduate, not only with the gift of language, but also the empowerment to act responsibly in a multicultural world.

I suppose our mission statement might best be summarized as ELI's goal of providing our students what many of our alumni have described as one of the most challenging, rewarding and joyful experiences of their lives.

This annual newsletter is our way of remaining accountable to our alumni, sponsors and colleagues in following our mission. I hope you enjoy this holiday letter, which Barbara Morris, Ruth Jackson, Wendy Bulkowski, Russ Mason and many other of your ELI friends worked so hard to publish. May the year to come bring you and your loved ones immeasurable peace and joy.

Sincerely,

Scott G. Stevens
Director

P.S. You can read our mission statement in its entirety at our website: <www.udel.edu/eli/who_mission.html>

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