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WSU System Strategic Plan

It’s not just a plan on paper.

Together, we can turn system goals into educational excellence.

Our strategic plan guides everything we do at Washington State University.

In a world defined equally by tremendous opportunities and rapid change, the vision of the Washington State University system is built on the foundational purposes of the land-grant university: to provide education to all, to conduct a scholarly inquiry that benefits society, and to share expertise that boosts the lives of individuals and communities.

This strategic plan was developed in 2020, and remains here as a reference while a new strategic framework is developed.

VIEW THE WSU SYSTEM STRATEGIC PLAN

WSU MISSION

Washington State University is a public land-grant research university that is committed to the principles of practical education for all, scholarly inquiry that benefits society, and the sharing of expertise to positively impact the state and communities.

EDUCATION

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WSU’s educational mission is to help students become more aware, engaged, and creative.

WSU Strives to make its expertise available to anyone who seeks to benefit from it, regardless of where they live, where they come from, what they believe, or what their life experiences have been.

SCHOLARSHIP

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WSU’s scholarly mission is directed toward the betterment of human existence through the uncovering of new information, the discovery of how to use that information to solve problems, and the creative expression of human experience. We especially seek to address issues that impact Washingtonians.

OUTREACH

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OUTREACH

WSU’s outreach mission is to serve the needs of Washingtonians by sharing its expertise and helping residents integrate that knowledge into their daily lives.

Our Core

VALUES

  • Land-grant ideals
  • Community
  • Integrity, trust, & respect
  • Global citizenship
  • Freedom of expression
  • Wellbeing

BELIEFS

  • Improve lives through practical education
  • Improve the human condition
  • Achieve an ethically and socially just society for all
  • Enrich the vitality of the region
  • Engage globally for the future of the planet

VISION

Washington State University will deepen and expand its impact by building on the strengths of each campus and location for a stronger Washington state and global community.

System Goals

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GOAL 1: Research, Innovation, & Creativity

Washington State University will be recognized for embracing risk and bold thinking to serve the needs of its communities through innovative research, scholarship, and creative activities.

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GOAL 2: Student Experience

Washington State University students will engage in scholarship, research, and experiential learning activities to prepare future leaders, scholars, and global citizens.

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GOAL 3: Outreach, Extension, Service, & Engagement

Washington State University will be a national leader in advancing quality of life, economic development, sustainability, and access through meaningful engagement in discovery, education, and service with partners throughout the state,
nation, and world.

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GOAL 4: Institutional Effectiveness & Infrastructure

WSU will advance a culture of engagement and collaboration across its multi-campus system that values and invests in resources—physical, financial, human, and intellectual—leveraging these to become the social and economic drivers for the community, the state, and the world.

View the 2020-2025 WSU system strategic plan.

This strategic plan reached it’s end in June 2025. A new system plan is currently in development; this remains here as reference until the new plan is complete.