WSSU Today
Momentum In Motion
In 1892, one room in Winston-Salem sparked a belief: education is power— and when access expands, communities rise.
134 years later, that belief is still visible in Winston-Salem State University’s momentum. Enrollment is increasing. Graduate programs are expanding. Our research portfolio continues to grow, fueling innovation and real-world impact. And WSSU is not slowing down. Still we rise.
Today, we proudly stand as:
- The #1 HBCU in North Carolina for value.
- The top university in the state for social mobility.
- North Carolina’s only opportunity college by Carnegie classifications.
- A $600 million economic engine in the Piedmont Triad region.
Through strong partnerships with local industries, WSSU prepares graduates for high-demand fields like nursing, bio-manufacturing, and teaching, directly closing critical workforce gaps across North Carolina. More than 9,000 WSSU alumni remain in the Piedmont Triad after graduation, lifting families, fueling the regional economy, and strengthening our community.
We’re reaching beyond campus to open pathways and fuel opportunities.Our impact continues to grow through strategic partnerships that open doors and remove barriers. Through an agreement with Wake Forest University School of Law, up to two WSSU students each year receive guaranteed admission and substantial scholarship support — creating a direct pathway to the legal profession and strengthening its future pipeline. Partnerships with regional community colleges further broaden access, providing seamless transfer routes to four-year degrees and accelerating opportunity across North Carolina.
We’re investing in our future leaders.A transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott — strategically invested in our endowment — ensures that opportunity continues to rise for generations. Students will receive scholarships funded by returns from that initial investment, turning a one-time gift into lasting, sustainable support for our leaders of tomorrow.
