The Academy has four major goals:
- Promoting service and study through analysis of critical social and intellectual issues and the development of practical policy alternatives;
- Fostering public engagement and the exchange of ideas with meetings, conferences, and symposia bringing diverse perspectives to the examination of issues of common concern
- Mentoring a new generation of scholars and thinkers through the newly established Visiting Scholars Program;
- Honoring excellence by electing to membership men and women in a broad range of disciplines and professions