Athens State University (ASU) is the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). As a member of the ACCS, Athens State operates under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education upon recommendations from the Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

As mandated by the Legislative Code of Alabama and State Board policy, the Chancellor has vested authority and responsibility for the operation, management, control, supervision, maintenance, and regulation of the institutions in the ACCS, subject to approval of the Board. The President of the institution is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the institution.

In accordance with State Board policies, any changes to the ASU mission statement must be approved by the Chancellor and State Board. Internally, changes to the University mission are driven by measurement and evaluation of institutional effectiveness and the deliberations and recommendations of University planning bodies and committees. Proposed changes are then approved by the President and forwarded to the Chancellor and State Board for review and approval.

The current mission statement represents a June 7, 2005 revision by the Planning Council. This revision was approved by the President, submitted to the Chancellor, and subsequently approved by the State Board of Education in July of 2005. In addition, the first institutional goal was revised and approved by the Planning Council on April 30, 2008.

In April 2009, under the leadership and guidance of the President, Athens State launched Vision 2020, a university-wide initiative to develop a new long-range vision for the University. This initiative eliminated the role of the Planning Council since the Vision 2020 Committee would now serve as the new planning body of the institution. Upon its completion in October 2010, the Master Plan developed by the Vision 2020 Committee will substitute for the Long Range Plan and will become the basic reference point for major decisions by the President and other University leaders. Changes in the University mission and goals can be expected with the implementation of Vision 2020. Any proposed changes to the University mission will then be forwarded to the President, and submitted to the Chancellor and State Board for approval.