The mission of the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service draws upon the Jesuit tradition of fostering social justice through education, research, and service. By building on its location in the economically, racially and culturally diverse environment of the greater New York City metropolitan region, the School seeks to provide outstanding social work education, guided by humanistic values and a global perspective, focusing on service to and research with individuals, families and groups, organizations, and communities. The School advocates for improving the quality of life for society's most vulnerable populations through teaching, practice, influencing policy, and the development and dissemination of knowledge.〔(Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. "The Mission of the School." Accessed 17 August 2009. )〕