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FSU VISION

"Fayetteville State University is a leading institution of opportunity and diversity committed to developing learned and responsible global citizens."

Priority 1:  Retention and Graduation Rates - Initiatives

Strategic Priority one - image

Fayetteville State University will increase retention and graduation rates and will be a university of choice for students in North Carolina and the nation through innovation and excellence in teaching; a highly qualified faculty and staff; enhanced degree programs in teacher education, science, technology, business, humanities, and the social sciences; improved student services; and excellent facilities and advanced technology.

Initiative 1- Increase Retention and Graduation Rates:  FSU will achieve and sustain retention and graduation rates that are at least among the top third of its national peer institutions.

FSU will have retention and graduation rates that meet or exceed rates at other comparable competitive institutions.  FSU will implement recruitment strategies that target and attract undergraduate and graduate students with a high probability of completing a degree, while continuing its commitments to access, affordability, and diversity.

Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

  1. Increase the percentage of students who identify FSU as their first-choice institution
  2. Increase the percentage of new first-time, transfer, and graduate students whose academic preparation will enable them to complete degrees at FSU in a timely manner
  3. Increase participation in pre-college outreach programs, dual enrollment programs, and distance education
  4. Reduce loan indebtedness of students and their families by containing costs and leveraging all financial aid resources to meet the financial need of students
  5. Achieve one-year retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and six-year graduation rates of at least 80%, 30%, and 50%, respectively, and year to year persistence rate of all students of at least 80%

Initiative 2 – Improve Academics and Co-Curricular Programs:  FSU will continuously improve teaching, academic support, faculty and student collaborative research, and co-curricular programs to enhance student learning.

All units at FSU will utilize multi-variant measures (i.e. exams, projects, portfolios, service, surveys) to promote and evaluate student learning and use results of these measures to improve teaching, academic support, and co-curricular programs.  Faculty development activities will extend the scholarship of teaching and learning. 

Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

  1. Achieve an average score of “above expectation” by seniors on the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA).
  2. Demonstrate through assessment data that students are achieving mastery of core curriculum learning outcomes
  3. Demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes of major programs as specified in each program’s objectives
  4. Increase the number of students who participate in research conferences, internships, service projects, and other co-curricular activities
  5. Increase the number of students and faculty participating in learning communities
  6. Increase the number of faculty members who utilize faculty development resources to improve student learning

Initiative 3 – Attract and Retain Faculty/Staff:  FSU will attract and retain highly-qualified faculty and staff by improving working conditions and providing effective programs of faculty and staff professional development. 

FSU will strive to be an employer of choice for faculty and staff by implementing effective recruitment procedures, promoting shared governance, and supporting continuous improvements in working conditions, salary equity, and professional development activities for all employees that will increase the retention of faculty and staff.

Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

  1. Increase the percentage of employees with high levels of satisfaction with their employment at FSU and who rate the overall quality of FSU’s programs and services as very high on survey instruments
  2. Seek to improve the salaries of faculty and staff as compared to peer institutions
  3. Increase the number of faculty and staff members who participate in professional development activities
  4. Increase the support for research and professional activities

Initiative 4 – Enhance Attractiveness to Students:  FSU will enhance its attractiveness to prospective students by strengthening all existing academic programs, especially in high-need areas, such as teacher education, nursing, and business; by developing new programs in science, technology, entrepreneurship, the social sciences, and other emerging areas; and, by providing educational experiences that prepare graduates for lifelong learning, community service, and global citizenship.

FSU will provide academically rigorous and relevant programs that address the wide variety of higher education needs in southeastern North Carolina and beyond. The university will develop new courses, concentrations, certificate programs, on-line degrees and new degree programs based on these needs.

Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

  1. Increase the levels of student involvement in educational practices that will enable them to compete effectively in the global economy through exposure to diverse beliefs, values, languages and cultures, internships, service learning, clinical experiences, and study abroad
  2. Increase the levels of personal growth of students in writing, speaking, thinking critically and analytically, analyzing quantitative data, and other professional development skills
  3. Increase the number of graduates in areas needed to advance southeastern North Carolina’s competitiveness in the global economy, including needs identified by UNC Tomorrow and BRAC
  4. Increase ratings on measures used to assess the quality and productivity of academic programs, including specialized accreditation
  5. Increase the number of on-line degree programs and certificate programs

Initiative 5 – Improve Student Services and Satisfaction:  FSU will foster continuous improvements in student services in response to data on student satisfaction.

FSU will provide effective, efficient, and user-friendly services in all student support areas. These areas will use satisfaction survey results and other data to verify the quality of services and to identify areas of needed improvement. 

Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

  1. Increase the percentage of undergraduate and graduate students who report high levels of satisfaction with their overall educational experience
  2. Increase the percentage of students who report high levels of satisfaction with admissions, orientation programs, registration, financial aid, student accounts, student activities, bookstore, advisement, library services, residence halls, food services, athletics, and other service areas
  3. Increase the number, quality, and participation levels of programs and activities that promote the personal development and the health and wellness of students

    Initiative 6 – Improve Facilities and Technology:  FSU will engage in continuous improvement of facilities and technology to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative processes and improve student learning, engagement, and satisfaction, while exercising fiscal responsibility and promoting sustainability and conservation of natural resources.

    FSU will provide facilities and technology resources that are comparable to competitive peer institutions.   Improvements in these areas will be guided by data that indicate the impact of facilities and technology on administrative processes, student learning, engagement, and satisfaction.  In all of these efforts, FSU will exercise fiscal responsibility.

    Principal Accountability Indicators By 2014:

    1. Increase availability of information technology resources and services in all facilities
    2. Increase the use of technology for teaching, research, and learning
    3. Increase levels of satisfaction as reported by faculty and students with FSU physical facilities, such as office space, classroom space, maintenance of buildings and grounds
    4. Monitor and distribute budgetary resources to units based on implementation of strategic priorities, cost effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency of programs and services.