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30 Aspirations

By 2030, WSSU will accomplish 30 aspirational outcomes that advance the institution’s vision.


Foster Student Success

  1. Increase by 50% the number of STEM degrees awarded to students.
  2. Increase by 50% the number of Critical Workforce degrees awarded to students.
  3. Double the number of undergraduate students who participate in Study Abroad.
  4. Double the number of undergraduate students who participate in internships with industry.
  5. Increase the four-year graduation rate to at least 55%.
  6. Award a minimum of 30 research doctoral degrees per year.

Equity, Inclusion, and Social Innovation

  1. US News and World Report’s Top 200 for “Top Performers in Social Mobility.”
  2. Princeton Review’s Top 100 Ranking for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
  3. Increase by 15% the retention of underrepresented faculty and staff.
  4. Increase the number of degree options for nontraditional students.
  5. Expand WSSU’s footprint in rural and out-of-state areas by increasing online degree programs.
  6. Double the number of alumni entrepreneurs three years post-graduation.

Intellectual Climate

  1. US News and World Report’s Top 10 “Best Regional Universities.”
  2. US News and World Report’s Top 10 “Top Public Schools.”16. Increase the number of nationally recognized faculty.
  3. US News and World Report’s “Top 5 HBCUs.”
  4. Increase the number of nationally recognized faculty.
  5. Increase the number of students who receive national awards.
  6. Embed a capstone experience within 100% of undergraduate degree programs.

Institutional Excellence

  1. Ensure 100% of all academic buildings have state-of-the-art technology.
  2. Forbes Best Midsize Employers Top 300.
  3. Achieve Carnegie “Research 2” (R2) Classification.
  4. Ensure at least 80% of new first-time freshmen rate WSSU as a first-choice institution.
  5. Ensure at least 80% of employees indicate that WSSU is a great place to work.
  6. Ensure 100% of faculty meet required qualifications per SACSCOC accreditation standards.

Resource Sustainability

  1. Increase by 15% the amount of scholarship awards to reduce the student debt load of first-time freshmen.
  2. Increase by 10% the amount of scholarship awards to reduce the student debt load of transfer students.
  3. Increase graduate student enrollment by 25% by adding new graduate and research doctoral degree programs.
  4. Achieve minimum Research and Development expenditures of $8 million per year.
  5. Secure 25 “Signature Partnerships” that generate new revenue streams to support student success and employee development.
  6. Stimulate alumni to achieve a 40% giving rate that contributes to a minimum fundraising amount of $60 million.