focused on the future uncw has changed tremendously in the past 10 years. What will the next decade bring?
After having met most of the strategic goals set in 2003, the university is now exploring new initiatives to keep it at the forefront of higher education innovation.
That required UNCW to develop innovative ideas and solutions, finding ways to meet student needs even in lean budget years.
“We set bold targets that some thought were impossible to achieve,” DePaolo told the board of trustees in February.“But we learned that by focusing our efforts and our resources in a few critical areas, we were able to make huge strides toward our goals.”
“Now, it’s time to think about the next decade and what new bold initiatives and targets we will set for ourselves,” she added. “We’ve demonstrated our capabilities, and we will continue to aim high.”
As UNCW moves forward, DePaolo noted that the university’s seven strategic goals and the 48 objectives that fall under them will continue to be the foundation of its future plans. “Creation of a strategic plan gave us the focus we needed so that all of us were moving in the same direction,” she said.
Committees of administrators, faculty and staff are developing proposals for Vision 2020. “Vision 2020 will define UNCW’s priorities as we pursue national prominence and the most powerful learning experience possible for our students.” she explained. Architect James Ross’s rendering of the grand Randall Library facade he envisions as a focal point of Chancellor’s Walk. Photo illustration by Shirl New.
Student-faculty ratio
Four-year graduation rate
2003 2 010 remarkable
Six-year graduation rate
18.7:1 to 16.6:1 40.7 to 43.5 percent 59.1 to 68.5 percent
(UNC System average is 59 percent national average is 56 percent)
Percentage of students housed on campus
23 to 37 percent
Research expenditures
$12.8 million to $18.3 million
Merit scholarship awards
$430,223 to $1,165,675
278 to 425
growth
Undergraduates receiving merit scholarships
Percentage of minority students
8.9 to 12.1 percent
Minority six-year graduation rate
56.9 to 61.5 percent
spring 2010
UNCW Magazine 5