The mission of MIT is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century. Among their values, which shape programs and opportunities for the general public, they state: "We strive to make our community a humane and welcoming place where people from a diverse range of backgrounds can grow and thrive – and where we all feel that we belong." The MIT Office of Government and Community Relations oversees much of their community programming.