WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle 

Winston-Salem State University rolled out its strategic plan in front of nearly 2,000 students, faculty members, and alumni last Thursday evening.

With performances for the Red Sea of Sound, and the cheerleaders, the event felt more like an homecoming football game than a strategic plan rollout.

Chancellor Elwood Robinson said he could have elected for the more formal approach but felt like the students needed to see the plan in action.

Throughout the event various students, professors, and well-known alumni took to the stage inside K.R. Williams Auditorium to discuss the different aspects of the five year plan that will focus on equality and social justice.

Major goals of the plan include providing a quality education experience that helps students develop the intellectual and interpersonal skills that transfer across careers and context, and gives students opportunities to engage important questions within their discipline, community, and society at large.

Along with strengthening liberal education, the plan also includes; an increase in financial resources which include scholarships and grants for students from low income households, as well continued investments in technology, infrastructure and staff development.

According to the plan the university will also provide faculty development for professors and other faculty members. The plan was approved by the WSSU Board of Trustees on Dec. 11. Implementation is set to begin later this year.

Though it is resource intensive, the university doesn’t anticipate increases in tuition because of it. University officials said they will be looking for additional and expanding partnerships to help with things like internships.

Robinson said, WSSU is a transformative university and has been one for over 123 years.

“This university has always transformed itself,” he continued. “This university transformed itself from Slater Industrial College, to Winston-Salem Teachers College and here today as Winston-Salem State University.

“It’s in the DNA of this institution; that’s what we do.”

Provost Brenda Allen said the plan is designed to build leaders and will create graduates who are, “free independent thinkers.

“This is the type of education that will help allow our graduates to do, or become anything that they choose.”