Social Mobility

Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded nearly $4 million to Winston-Salem State University to establish a Research Center of Excellence. Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman made the announcement during a press conference on WSSU’s campus following her visit with students.

Winston-Salem State University earned impressive rankings in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2025. WSSU was recognized among top public colleges and universities, best HBCUs, social mobility and the nursing program. The most significant achievement is WSSU’s surge ahead by 40 spots in the national universities ranking.

Today, Barbara Woods is a hair stylist. But after two weeks, she could start a new career in biomanufacturing thanks to a new program at Winston-Salem State University. Woods is a member of the first WSSU cohort of the Accelerate NC Life Sciences Manufacturing Coalition, led by the NC Biotechnology Center, which received $25 million from President Biden’s Build Back Better program to strengthen life sciences manufacturing in the state of North Carolina.

This class was unique as it was the class that felt the disruptions of the global pandemic as students transitioned from high school graduates to college freshmen. Their high school graduations were mostly likely in person and college orientations were shackled by social distancing.

The Class of Spring 2024 celebrated commencement on Friday, May 10. Witnessing the excitement and sense of accomplishment radiating from our graduates was truly inspiring. We invite you to read these profiles and to browse through our Spring 2024 Commencement photo album.

Several students from Winston-Salem State University’s Sport Management program walked across the stage at commencement on May 10, 2024. Here are some success stories of these impressive scholars. 

Winston-Salem State University offers an excellent Sport Management program that prepares our students for dynamic careers in the sports industry. WSSU is the first and only HBCU to receive accreditation from the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Technology provider CollegeNET ranks Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) No. 2 in the United States for being a driver of social mobility for its students. Social mobility, as defined by CollegeNET, involves delivering a high-quality college education at an affordable price to create opportunities for students to move from one socioeconomic class to another.

Ask Virgil Bryant what he likes about motorsports racing and without hesitation he starts to rattle off: it’s the smell of the fuel, the revving of the engines, the squealing of the tires, the drivers – everything. Equally important, he said it was the most fun he had in years when he attended his first NASCAR race.

Briana Tshiona was a member of the Epsilon Tau Sigma Honor Society for Allied Health while at WSSU.

The couple, Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan, both members of the WSSU Class of ’73, served and retired from extensive careers in public education; have raised tens of thousands of dollars for their alma mater over a span of 40 years; and most recently, established the Prince David and Nancy Patterson Jernigan Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Winston-Salem State University is ranked as one of the Best Colleges in America for the seventh year in a row by Money magazine.

Winston-Salem State University was ranked by Washington Monthly magazine as the No. 1 HBCU in the Southeast for “Best Bang for the Buck” for the 2023-24 academic year. The ranking is based on how well schools help non-wealthy students earn high-quality marketable degrees for affordable prices.

Another Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Commencement is upon us, as graduates depart to serve. Here's a glimpse of where a few students from the Class of Spring 2023 are headed. 

Another Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Commencement is upon us, as graduates depart to serve. Here's a glimpse of where a few students from the Class of Spring 2023 are headed. 

The Center for Applied Data Science (CADS) at Winston-Salem State University hosted the 2023 Day Data Science Workshop for High School Students in early March. The workshop was funded by a grant from University of North Carolina System and received support from Hanes Brands, Inc.

Nearly a dozen Winston-Salem State University students will start the new year with new job and internship opportunities.

2022 Golden LEAF scholarship recipient Myanna Lassiter knew Winston-Salem State University was the right college for her when she visited the campus and researched the website.

Winston-Salem State University ranks high on a diverse group of national lists, especially in the areas of value, affordability, and student success.

Here is a list of some of WSSU’s notable rankings for 2022-2023.

Winston-Salem State University has earned a high ranking for its online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program. EduMed.org named the WSSU online MHA program no. 5 in the nation based on quality, accessibility, affordability and commitment to student success. 

WSSU receives $30 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.   

The last decade has seen incredible milestones at WSSU. Here are some of the highlights from 2010 to today.

From viral videos to historic firsts, 2018 was a breakthrough year for WSSU, its students, faculty and staff. As 2018 draws to a close, WSSU News takes a look at what was new and noteworthy with its annual top 10 list.

WSSU’s Center for the Study of Economic Mobility has announced the selection of its 2018-19 faculty research fellows.

In a recent interview, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Chancellor Elwood L Robinson discussed the university’s impact on the Piedmont Triad’s economy.

A new documentary from WSSU's Center for the Study of Economic Mobility is shining a light on the challenges Winston-Salem workers face without a car.

John Railey, the former editorial page editor of the Winston-Salem Journal, interviewed Morehouse Professor Gregory Price in advance of his appearance at WSSU on April 19. 

 The Center for the Study of Economic Mobility will serve as a hub for faculty research, undergraduate student research scholarship and community outreach.