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Let's move from vision to action.

The Strategic Compass aligns priorities across WVU campuses, colleges, schools, and units so that day-to-day work and long-term investments stay focused on what matters most.

It provides a consistent direction while allowing flexibility in how different parts of the University contribute and innovate.

Mission Statement

At WVU, pride in our land-grant mission runs deep, success is earned, and life-changing experiences prepare Mountaineers to serve others and lead in West Virginia and the world. Your bold future starts here. Let's Go!

A students walks by giant gold letters that spell "Let's Go" on the Evansdale Campus.

Guiding Principles

The Guiding Principles describe how the WVU community puts strategy into practice. They serve as practical guideposts that shape decision-making, accountability, and daily work across the institution.

L – Lead with Pride

Celebrate our achievements and share compelling stories that showcase our impact and strengthen our connection to the communities we serve.

E – Empower through Education

Advance education that unlocks everyone’s potential, strengthens communities, and drives progress across West Virginia and the region.

T – Transform Lives

Be the catalyst that transforms lives through lifelong learning, groundbreaking discoveries, improved health and well-being in partnership with WVU Medicine, meaningful service, and extraordinary experiences.

S – Stake Our Claim

Establish the University as a national model for the 21st-century land-grant—where teaching, research, and service intersect to create positive change.

G – Grow Our Reach

Expand the University’s reach by building new partnerships, broadening access to education, and extending our impact across regions and borders.

O – Outperform Our Competition

Through efficiencies, proactive strategies, and targeted investments, we will outperform our competition.

Foundations

The foundations provide the people, resources, systems, and credibility necessary to advance every strategic priority and ensure WVU’s long-term success.

  1. People and Culture

    Champion a people-first culture that drives high performance, rewards excellence, and empowers individuals to grow, lead, and succeed.

  2. Finance

    Ensure long-term financial strength and agility through strategic investment, revenue diversification, and resource optimization.

  3. Core Infrastructure

    Modernize and align our infrastructure, technology, and administrative services to efficiently support the academic, research, and outreach mission of WVU.

  4. Institutional Reputation

    Elevate WVU’s national and global reputation by demonstrating impact, advancing academic excellence, and telling a compelling story.

Strategic Priorities and Goals

Together, we lead the way forward by preparing learners, advancing knowledge, improving lives, and serving the public good.

Education

Prepare learners to be successful

Discovery

Solve real problems

Health

Improve health and well-being

Service

Empower individuals and communities to thrive

Experiences

Deliver extraordinary experiences

Dive deeper into our strategic priorities and goals.

We encourage you to engage with the goals and identify where new ideas, energy, and effort can make a difference. Share your thoughts.

Defined by Our Impact

At WVU, our land-grant mission is more than a legacy – it’s a calling.

It defines the University’s responsibility to expand opportunity, generate knowledge, and deliver meaningful impact for West Virginia and beyond. Uniquely rooted in place and oriented toward progress, this mission connects education, discovery, health, and service to the real needs of the communities we serve. It reinforces the idea that success is earned through engagement and experience, and that the true measure of the University is the difference WVU makes in people’s lives and in the future of the state and the world.