Skip to main content

Service Alert: Microsoft 365 Email Outage

Microsoft 365 email services are currently experiencing disruptions, which may also impact integrated university systems. Visit the Microsoft Status page for updates. The Office of Information Technology is monitoring the situation.

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.