Innovative Academic Programs & Growth
Innovative Academic Programs and Growth
By 2030, Elizabeth City State University will accelerate strategic growth by launching innovative, future-focused academic offerings that integrate career readiness, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial thinking across all disciplines, driving enrollment to meet evolving workforce and societal needs.
By 2030, ECSU will increase undergraduate and graduate enrollment in modernized and online academic programs to at least 2,700 students, with measurable growth in areas aligned to emerging workforce needs.
Aligned Strategies
- Conduct comprehensive program reviews and redesign under-enrolled or outdated programs
- Expand online degree offerings across disciplines to increase access for non-traditional learners
- Develop marketing and recruitment plans targeted at high-demand fields.
By 2030, ECSU will launch at least 5 new workforce-aligned academic programs that are industry-driven, such as Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, business and entrepreneurship, health sciences, and education.
Aligned Strategies
- Expand programs in aviation, aerospace, and unmanned systems
- Develop interdisciplinary programs at the intersection of data science, computer science, and artificial intelligence
- Evaluate institutional capacity to support new programs in high-growth industries.
By 2030, ECSU will increase the percentage of students participating in high-impact learning experiences (e.g., honors, internships, apprenticeships, credential earning, study abroad) from 7.6% of undergraduates to at least 40%.
Aligned Strategies
- Identify and embed high-demand workforce credentials into academic curricula
- Expand access to study abroad through donor-sponsored initiatives
- Ensure every program has built-in pathways for experiential learning and applied practice.
By 2030, ECSU will increase the number of students enrolled in and completing aviation related degrees and certificates by 25%.
Aligned Strategies
- Create, implement, and scale a School of Aviation Sciences that increases enrollment and expands access to aviation careers through strategic partnerships across North Carolina and beyond.
- Design and launch graduate-level Aviation programs aligned to industry and workforce needs in North Carolina and the Tidewater region, in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and airline industry leaders.
