WSU Everett’s strategic direction—a bold and focused blueprint that recognizes the core values and mission of the statewide WSU strategic plan and builds on WSU Everett’s burgeoning success. We will train our focus and resources on student success, growth, equity, opportunity, and diversity. Much work lies ahead. In the following pages, we present the foundation and tools that will move us closer to Fulfilling Our Promise.
WSU Everett aspires to be one of the state’s leading public baccalaureate institutions, preeminent in STEM education and other in-demand programs, innovation, research and application. As a preferred University partner of choice, we will gain distinction as a forward-leaning education, business and research partner.
WSU Everett’s primary charge is to significantly expand access to high-quality baccalaureate and graduate degree programs in the North Puget Sound region and the state. With a focus on undergraduate education, research, scientific inquiry, innovation, entrepreneurship, global interconnectivity and sustainable growth, WSU Everett will address regional and state economic development needs, while preparing students for success and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Priority I: Optimize Access to Baccalaureate STEM Education and STEM Career Opportunities
Representative areas of emphasis: diversifying education pathways and entry points to STEM degrees and other high-demand disciplines; enrolling and educating a talented, diverse student population of traditional and non-traditional college-going cohorts -including groups currently underrepresented in STEM education and careers; piloting an education system that counters barriers to education access, degree attainment, and transition to STEM careers; and breaking new ground in life-long professional development opportunities.
Priority II: Achieve Excellence in Scholarship, Research, Global Education and Entrepreneurship
Representative areas of emphasis: competitive, culturally and digitally-skilled global citizens capable of succeeding in a professional environment; targeted, innovative high-demand undergraduate programs that respond to trending economic and workforce needs; state-of-the-art undergraduate STEM education; attraction and retention of a diverse core faculty with demonstrated ability to achieve excellence in teaching and research; innovative initiatives within and across disciplines; scientific inquiry and evidence- and discovery-based learning; and development of an entrepreneurial spirit and capacity
Priority III: Engage Students to Excel in a Competitive Global Society and Pressing Labor Market
Representative areas of emphasis: integration of evidence-based STEM education practices into learning experiences; strategies for developing discipline-specific competence in standards of practice and “common employability” skill sets essential for career success and advancement; engagement in high-impact experiential learning opportunities; exposure to tested and proven interventions that advance knowledge, hone critical thinking skills, and positively influence learning outcomes; and learning reinforcements and student life supports that expedites successful academic and career outcomes and promote life-long learning.
Priority IV: Forge Strategic Partnerships to Advance Education, Research, and Economic Development
Representative areas of emphasis: strengthened connections between WSU Everett, regional businesses, and third sector partners; value-added alliances that encourage innovation, scholarship research, and sponsorship of faculty-student initiatives; University-community collaborations of mutual interest and benefit to prosper the regional economy; and education and resource networks that serve as forums for documenting and exploring innovative STEM-related practices.
Priority V: Align the Infrastructure with Programmatic and Organizational Priorities
Representative areas of emphasis: establishment of a stem-focused, innovative campus; core education and infrastructure requirements needed to expedite student-faculty accomplishments; management of long-term organizational sustainability and growth; conditions and strategies for maximizing and leveraging resources – e.g., financial, people, information technology, physical plant and property; effective organization development and benchmarks of accountability; and resource allocations, revenue generation and fund development.
Priority VI: Become a Leader in Undergraduate STEM Education, Research & Economic Development
Representative areas of emphasis: recognition of WSU Everett as among the state’s leading public undergraduate baccalaureate programs – preeminent in STEM education, research, and innovation; strategic efforts to attain distinction and prominence as a scholarly, innovative and entrepreneurial educational program; enhanced visibility as a forward-thinking, preferred “University Partner of Choice” for discerning stakeholders; building and fortifying a position of leadership in STEM education that advances the University’s reach and impact – locally and globally.
