The Educational Foundations (EDF) Program examines how educational institutions shape and are shaped by the social and cultural structures of our society. Our mission is to offer an integrated program of teaching, research, and service designed to increase professional candidates' knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural, historical, political, and economic factors, as well as the philosophical underpinnings, that influence education and shape the societies and world in which we live. Within a diverse world, we also believe that professional educators should recognize a profound need to intentionally learn about and incorporate their students' personal experiences, cultures, and community resources into their instruction and programs.