WSU Strategic Plan

Wichita State University endeavors to build a stronger Kansas and a brighter tomorrow through our relentless commitment to the people, business and economy of our state.

As such, the university has adopted a strategic plan and vision to be one of the nation's premier urban. public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

Vision and Mission

Like many of those who once walked its campus, Wichita State's strategic plan shoots for the stars and proves that the university's pioneering spirit is alive and well. At the heart of the plan are vision and mission statements which clearly state the university's desire to chart a new course for higher learning while remaining dedicated to serving as a lifeblood to the region and doing its part to provide the highest quality of life possible to those who call it home.

Vision
To be one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

Mission
The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.

University Goals

Student Centeredness

Promote holistic student success through a supportive learning environment in which all of our students — past, present and future — continually thrive and grow.

Research and Scholarship

Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge.

Campus Culture

Empower students, faculty, staff and the greater Wichita community to create a culture and experience that meets their ever-changing needs.

Inclusive Excellence

Be a campus that reflects and promotes – in all community members – the evolving diversity of society.

Partnerships and Engagement

Advance industry and community partnerships to provide quality educational opportunities and collaborations to satisfy rapidly evolving community and workforce needs.

Ongoing Initiatives

Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion

It is essential to our mission to ensure that each member of the community has full opportunity to thrive. We believe diversity is key to individual flourishing, educational excellence and the advancement of knowledge.

Visit the DEI website

Student Success and Persistence

Wichita State has embarked on an initiative that will use data and campuswide coordination to bring student supports to scale, increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates for all students.

Visit the SSP website

2023-24 Priorities

Helping families through access and affordability

Provide an accessible, affordable and impactful higher education for all Kansans with increased community connections and networks.
Implement plan to increase enrollment. Grow Wichita State enrollment from 16K to 17K by 2025 and WSU Tech enrollment from 4,800 to 6,500 by 2025.
Equalize completion rates among underserved and non-underserved students.
Implement Shocker Promise statewide: Full tuition and fees for Pell-eligible families.
Increase need-based aid.

Supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs

Increase relevant applied learning experiences that match the needs of industry, agency and community partners.
Continue the development of the Innovation Campus by completing the Hub for Advanced Manufacturing (I)HAMR) facility and Partnership Building 11, which will house new Innovation Campus partners.

Increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the Kansas economy

Elevate Wichita State as a premier, urban public research university in the United States.
Seek and capitalize on opportunities for innovation and research for the Innovation Campus and beyond.
Increase faculty research and innovation infrastructure..
Continue to improve support of applied research efforts for industry and defense.
Open the Digital Research and Transformation Hub in 2024.
Enter into financially prudent public-private partnerships(p3s) on university-owned property that provide services.
Develop, enhance and maintain exceptional campus facilities.
Support Wichita downtown development via hospitality, culinary arts and health sciences.

What we believe

Core Values

Values that have always underlined the culture at Wichita State.

Integrity
Transparency
Personal responsibility
Collaboration
Access and equity

Distinctive Values

Values necessary to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.

Seizing opportunities
Adaptive approaches
Positive risk-taking
Innovation and creativity
Knowledge creation and dynamic educational opportunities

Questions or Comments?

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BY THE NUMBERS

No. 1 most affordable research university in the region

High quality and affordable tuition make Wichita State a great value. We're among the most affordable four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.

See how we stack up

Top 20 in U.S. college engineering R&D expenditures

Wichita State continues to rise in the National Science Foundation's ranking of U.S. college engineering R&D expenditures

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No. 1 Transfer Destination in the state of Kansas

For 12 straight years, WSU has been the top four-year transfer destination for Kansas college students. Potential transfer students can see how the credits they have already taken can apply to different degrees by using our Transfer Gateway.

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$270 million in annual funding for research activities at Wichita State

Since 2010, Wichita State University is one of the fastest-growing research universities in the United States.

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Two female friends outside the Rhatigan Student Center

Department Initiatives

Wichita State University’s vision is to be one of the nation’s most innovative public research universities, known for providing impactful student experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve. Important to realizing that vision is creating an assessment system that helps to clearly tell our story, as a university, to those both on-and off-campus. Reporting progress on our strategic plan helps to ensure transparency and helps all of us make decisions moving forward.

Assessment and tracking

WSU's assessment and tracking system, now in testing, provides all units within the university the opportunity to develop strategies and tactics unique to you and the work your unit is doing. Strategies that are aligned directly with the university's goals will apply to an overall university report. Tactics, which are specific deliverables for a strategy; and metrics, how the success of the strategy will be measured, must be entered with each strategy.

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