WSSU receives UNCF’s 2025 UNITE Student Champion Award for bold leadership, commitment to student success
Chancellor Bonita J. Brown began her tenure at Winston-Salem State University with a promise to put students first. That promise is now being recognized with a prestigious award from the United Negro College Fund.
WSSU has been named a recipient of the 2025 UNITE Student Champion Award, presented by the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building. The award was announced during the annual UNITE Summit Awards Ceremony on July 22 in Atlanta.
This national recognition celebrates institutions that put students first – consistently designing systems, support and innovations to help every learner thrive. The award honors institutions that exemplify bold leadership, strategic innovation and a deep commitment to student success and long-term sustainability.
“This honor affirms WSSU’s commitment to student success,” Brown said. “Every decision we make is based on what impact it will have on our student population, and we are proud to be recognized by UNCF for our leadership in creating environments where students don’t just succeed but are positioned to thrive.”
Brown challenges faculty and staff to reimagine traditional approaches and to lead with creativity in fostering student success. “This award belongs to our entire Ramily – faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners who work every day to move WSSU forward,” she said.
The Institutional Awards are among the highest recognitions presented during the UNITE Summit, celebrating the collective work of campuses that are driving meaningful transformation and modeling what is possible across the HBCU sector.
“We are thrilled to have Winston-Salem State University represented in the UNITE 2025 space this year,” said Ed Smith-Lewis, senior vice president of the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building. “WSSU’s achievements and collaborative spirit reflect the very best of what this network can accomplish.”
The ceremony brought together hundreds of leaders, innovators and change agents from across the nation to celebrate progress, share strategies and envision a thriving future for HBCUs.
For more information about the UNITE Summit or the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building, visit www.uncf.org.
