Through regional and community partnerships, we will be a force for the progress and
growth of Western North Carolina. As an institution dedicated to the overall development
of North Carolina, 蘑菇短视频 serves all of the state with particular
focus on the communities, towns, and cities of the 17 western-most counties of North
Carolina* as well as the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
* Buncombe, Cherokee, Cleveland, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon,
Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey
Goal 4.1: Be the higher education leader in workforce growth and development in Western
North Carolina.
- 4.1.1: Increase the number of degrees/credentials in regionally identified growth sectors,
such as Health & Human Services, Engineering, IT, Hospitality & Tourism, Business,
and other fields as annually identified in collaboration with regional partners. Grow
these programs and develop new ones on main campus, the Asheville instructional site,
and any other instructional sites, as appropriate.
- 4.1.2: Expand the regional service footprint of 蘑菇短视频beyond main campus though its instructional
site in Asheville as well as other current and future sites in the region.
- 4.1.3: Expand the number and quality of undergraduate and graduate degrees/credentials
offered as distance programs, whether entirely online or a combination of face-to-face
and hybrid on main campus, the Asheville instructional site, and any other instructional
sites.
- 4.1.4: Enhance and further develop our recruitment and support for part-way home (PWH)
and Finish Line (FL) students, focusing on those seeking to return to higher education
to complete a degree or other credential.
- 4.1.5: Increase the number of transfer students choosing WCU.
- 4.1.6: Develop a next-level continuing education and professional development program that
utilizes traditional and alternative credentials, as well as stackable credentialing
that integrates tightly with undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
- 4.1.7: Develop a system of research and reporting to support awareness of regional workforce
and other development needs when creating educational offerings and other campus engagement
activities.
Goal 4.2: Issues Facing Western North Carolina
Serve as lead convenor on major issues facing Western North Carolina at both the regional
and local levels.
- 4.2.1: Convene events with partners, business leaders, and other community groups to discuss
and address significant local and regional issues.
- 4.2.2: Publish and distribute widely, an annual report of WCUs regional and community development
and engagement.
Goal 4.3: Business Retention and Expansion
Become a key regional partner in business retention and expansion.
- 4.3.1: Enrich business development centers, one in Jackson County to serve southwest NC
and one in Buncombe County to serve metro Asheville, that physically bring together
WCU鈥檚 and other entities鈥� business development units.
- 4.3.2: Lead regional efforts to foster small-business and entrepreneurial endeavors via
entrepreneurship curricula, Corporation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Small
Business & Technology Development Center, the RAPID Center, and the region鈥檚 Community
College Small Business Centers, Community Development Financial Institutions, and
non-profit resources.
Goal 4.4: Regional and Community Engagement
Be a state model for regional and community engagement.
- 4.4.1: Convene, lead, and invest in the development of Cullowhee as a community.
- 4.4.2: Develop interdisciplinary clinics(s) and projects, fixed or mobile, to serve the
region and provide clinical placements for our students.
- 4.4.3: Develop a university-specific Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).,
- 4.4.4: Leverage the fine and performing arts to advance WCU鈥檚 commitment to regional and
community engagement on the main campus, instructional sites, and across the Western
North Carolina region.
- 4.4.5: Encourage and support individual regional and community engagement by students,
faculty, and staff.
- 4.4.6: Identify and annually place students, faculty, and staff on key regional and community
leadership boards.
Goal 4.5: Leverage Expertise
Leverage WCUs expertise in key areas to help other institutions, large employers,
and government entities.
- 4.5.1: Serve as a resource to regional partners to develop their own diversity, equity,
and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
- 4.5.2: Serve as a resource to regional partners to develop leadership in environmentalism
and sustainability.
- 4.5.3: Leverage WCU鈥檚 expertise in public/private partnerships for housing development
to grow workforce housing in the region.