Winston-Salem State University

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Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.

History

Winston-Salem State University was founded as "Slater Industrial Academy" on September 28, 1892. In 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly renamed the school "Winston-Salem Teachers College" and the North Carolina State Board of Education allowed the college to award elementary teacher education degrees, making it the first black institution to provide this specialized training.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million to Winston-Salem State which is the second largest single gift in the university's history. In 2025, she donated an additional $50 million which is the largest single gift in the university's history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>https://hbcugameday.com/2025/11/12/mackenzie-scott-makes-huge-donation-to-wssu/</ref>

Academics

Winston-Salem State offers over 40 academic majors and 10 graduate degrees. The school enrolls approximately 5,200 students and employs 400 faculty and over 550 staff members.<ref name="WSSU Assessment and Research">Template:Cite web</ref>

Colleges & Departments

  • College of Arts, Sciences, Businesses, and Education
  • School of Health Sciences
  • Graduate and Professional Programs
  • University College and Lifelong Learning

Rankings

File:SG Atkins House.jpg
The Alumni House on campus

Winston-Salem State University was ranked the #7 top college in the United States by the Social Mobility Index college rankings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by U.S. News & World Report in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South category between 2001 and 2009. By 2016, the university had fallen to a ranking of #84 in the same category.<ref name="rankingsandreviews">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Winston-Salem State 96th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Winston-Salem State's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service. Washington Monthly also ranked Winston Salem State 24th in Social Mobility.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Library

C. G. O’Kelly Library is the main academic library on the campus of Winston-Salem State University, which was originally the Slater Industrial Academy. The original library was housed in Blair Hall until 1967 when the new library was built and O’Kelly Library has gone through two additions and one renovation within the past forty years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Campus

The campus has more than 40 buildings covering Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> WSSU's Diggs Gallery was recognized as one of the top African-American galleries in its region.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student life

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race and ethnicity Total
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Economic diversity
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Athletics

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File:USMC-120303-M-PR201-235.jpg
The men's basketball team and WSSU cheerleaders at the 2012 CIAA Tournament

Winston-Salem State University is currently a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in NCAA Division II. From the 2007–08 season through the 2009–10 season, the Rams competed in the NCAA's Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), despite being a transitional member that was attempting to attain full membership within the MEAC or within NCAA Division I, in which the Rams were also scheduled to begin full membership and gain access to NCAA tournaments in 2011. However, it never occurred due to financial difficulties.<ref name="go">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="sportingnews">Template:Cite web</ref>

Esports Integration

Winston-Salem State University integrated esports into its computer science program with a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program. The initiative includes an esports lab, offering hands-on learning and attracting underrepresented minority students to STEM fields while expanding career paths in the esports industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student Organizations

There are over 100 student organizations at WSSU. Including the Student Government Association, fraternities and sororities, Honor societies, and the Red Sea of Sound marching band.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable alumni

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References

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