Norfolk State University is a student-centered institution that places student success and achievement at the forefront of its mission, values, and goals. The strength of any higher education institution is deeply rooted within its academic enterprise and its ability to attract, retain and graduate students. During the 2012 – 2018 Strategic Plan, the University focused on Building a Legacy of Excellence. The University continues the process of enhancing its legacy with the 2019-2025 Strategic Plan: Forging Onward to a New Horizon, which was developed over a 2.5-year collaborative process that places student success as the first and central theme to be accomplished by providing students with quality academic programs and educational resources to succeed in the 21st Century global economy.
In accordance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) standards, Norfolk State University identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the institution's mission, the nature of students it serves and the kind of programs offered. The University uses multiple measures to document student success, including retention and graduation rates, national licensure examinations, and post-graduation outcomes (graduating senior and alumni surveys). These criteria align with the requirements set by SACSCOC and Institutional Performance Standards developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Strategic Plan Themes Related to Student Achievement and Success
Strategic Theme 1 - Reimagine the academic enterprise to strengthen student success, teaching excellence, and prominence.
Strategy 1.1: Develop and implement a data-driven, cross-institutional approach to improve student retention, graduation rate, and career placement.
Strategy 1.2: Strengthen student success through the adoption and integration of emerging best practices to elevate NSU as a recognized national leader in faculty teaching excellence, scholarship, and research.Reimagine the academic enterprise to strengthen student success, teaching excellence, and prominence.