WSSU research endeavors are centralized to three areas: health and social justice, community and economic development, and STEM innovation. As a Historically-Black College and University (HBCU) our researchers benefit from having access to specialized communities, and having diverse perspectives that institutions without our designation recruit for research collaborations.
Annual Figures 2018-19
450 Students Supported
91 Awards
$52.9 M Awarded
11 Research Centers
Research at WSSU has a global impact. The translational research we conduct helps communities that need our support most. The basic research we explore contributes to the disciplines in ways only HBCUs can. Supporting research at WSSU supports more than just WSSU students, it supports our communities.
Community Engaged Scholarship
North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (NC-MSEN) is a community based project to recruit student grades 6-12 to pursue high level mathematics and science based courses by preparing them with Saturday Academy, the Summer Enrichment Program, tutoring, mathematics and science competitions, field trips, Parent Involvement for Excellence (PIE) Clubs, and leadership development.
CSEM’s B.I.G. Idea in Community Engagement is an integrative needs-based approach that connects businesses, individuals, and governments to help generate interventions and structural reform for the benefit of the community.
International Research through Study Abroad engages students in scholarship on a global level. Students develop multi-cultural perspectives by traveling to locations like South Africa, Brazil, or South Korea and participate in humanities and social science projects that are authentic to the local communities to which they travel.
WSSU Research In the News
WSSU receives a nearly $500,000 grant to help protect against artificial intelligence cybersecurity threats
October 15, 2026
WSSU faculty members have received a $496,376 grant from the National Science Foundation to help protect against cybersecurity threats involving artificial intelligence.
Two paths, one passion: WSSU twins chart their own course in scientific research
September 22, 2026
For eight weeks this summer, WSSU twins Cayla and Carlin Parrott pursued their academic goals nearly 2,240 miles apart.
WSSU’s inaugural RISE AI Summit brings leaders together to explore future of artificial intelligence
September 11, 2026
More than 300 people attended RISE AI on Sept. 10 at the Benton Convention Center, where about two dozen presentations explored AI’s growing role in education, business and society.
