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Pillar II | Advance Academic Excellence

Overarching Goal: Cultivate a dynamic enterprise, advancing excellence in student learning, teaching, research, and innovation while aligning programs with student, community and workforce needs.

 

Strategic Imperatives  〉

  • Enhance Academic Quality, Relevance, and Accessibility
    • Expand academic offerings that increase accessibility, innovation, and national competitiveness.
    • Enhance and expand the quality, flexibility, and accessibility of online and hybrid programs to meet student demand, support adult learners and working students, and respond to evolving market expectations.
    • Advance innovation in academic programs by pursuing and sustaining specialized accreditations, integrating emerging technologies, and strengthening curriculum design to ensure high levels of program quality, credibility, and reputation.
    • Continuously evaluate and refine academic programs to ensure competitiveness and alignment with workforce, economic, and mission-driven needs—particularly in high-demand areas such as business, healthcare, education, and technology.
  • Accelerate Research, Scholarship, and Innovation
    • Position WSSU as a center of discovery and applied scholarship that benefits society.
    • Strengthen research infrastructure to drive innovation and impact in WSSU’s mission-focused disciplines, increasing research expenditures and the number of faculty principal investigators by 30%.
    • Foster collaborative research and innovation that addresses regional and national priorities while engaging students as active scholars.
    • Develop interdisciplinary programs, certificates, and professional learning opportunities that leverage existing strengths.
    • Position WSSU for Carnegie Research 2 (R2) classification by strengthening research output, expanding doctoral education, and securing greater external funding.
  • Reimagine Academic Programs for Workforce Readiness and Sustainability
    • Align academic programs and credentials with the evolving needs of employers, industries, and emerging professions, prioritizing resources to strengthen high-demand fields and future-ready program areas.
    • Develop interdisciplinary programs and micro-credentials in collaboration with industry partners that address emerging workforce trends.
    • Integrate experiential learning and technology into curricula to prepare graduates for lifelong success and achievement.
    • Build on WSSU’s existing program strengths while launching new, high-impact initiatives that enrich society and secure the university’s future vitality.
  • Empower and Invest in Faculty Excellence
    • Recruit, develop, and retain faculty who drive innovation in teaching, learning, research, and engagement.
    • Provide professional development, mentoring, and recognition for teaching and scholarly excellence.
    • Encourage digital fluency and collaboration across academic units.
    • Align faculty development and research support with institutional priorities and student success outcomes.
    • Equip faculty with the skills, training, and resources needed to support today’s students, including mental health awareness, trauma-informed practices, and learning differences.