North Carolina invests nearly $45 million to expand WSSU’s impact

State budget elevates WSSU through landmark scholarship expansion, nursing workforce initiative, employee investments and major capital improvements

Winston-Salem State University will expand opportunities for students, strengthen North Carolina’s healthcare workforce, invest in employees and modernize its campus following approval of the 2026 North Carolina State Budget.

The legislation provides nearly $45 million for several WSSU priorities: completion of K.R. Williams Auditorium and modernization of Eller and Pegram Halls; expansion of the prestigious Cheatham-White Scholarship Program; establishes WSSU as a key partner in the new Nursing Fellows Forgivable Education Loan Pilot Program; and includes compensation increases for eligible university employees.

Collectively, the investments reflect North Carolina’s continued confidence in WSSU’s growing leadership in advancing student success, workforce development and economic opportunity.

“This budget represents more than an investment in Winston-Salem State University; it is an investment in North Carolina’s future,” said Chancellor Bonita J. Brown. “These strategic investments expand opportunity for our students, strengthen our ability to prepare the workforce our state needs, support the outstanding employees who make our mission possible and position WSSU to build on the momentum of our ‘We Are Rising’ strategic plan.”

Brown also expressed gratitude to state leaders for their continued support of the university.

“As I reflect on two years of serving as chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, I am grateful for the confidence that Governor Stein, members of the General Assembly and our legislative delegation have placed in this institution and for its continued investment in our students, employees and campus,” Brown said.

Among the budget’s key investments:

• Nearly $40 million for capital improvements over two fiscal years, including the release of the remaining $14.65 million needed to complete the renovation and modernization of K.R. Williams Auditorium, along with continued funding for renovations to Eller Hall and Pegram Hall.
• Expansion of the Cheatham-White Scholarship Program, making WSSU one of only three historically Black universities in North Carolina authorized to award up to 50 merit-based scholarships annually beginning in the 2027–2028 academic year.
• Participation in the new Nursing Fellows Forgivable Education Loan Pilot Program, positioning WSSU to help educate the next generation of nurses through a new statewide initiative designed to address North Carolina’s healthcare workforce needs.
• Investments in employees, including a 3% salary increase for eligible SHRA and EHRA employees, one-time bonuses and additional compensation for sworn law enforcement officers.

These investments advance several priorities identified in WSSU’s “We Are Rising” strategic plan, including expanding student access and success, strengthening workforce readiness, enhancing campus infrastructure and creating an exceptional employee and student experience.

“At WSSU, we believe higher education should transform lives while strengthening communities,” Brown said. “This investment allows us to accelerate that work and deepen our impact across North Carolina.”