West Virginia University

Mission

As a land-grant institution in the twenty-first century, West Virginia University will deliver high-quality education, excel in discovery and innovation, model a culture of diversity and inclusion, promote health and vitality, and build pathways for the exchange of knowledge and opportunity between the state, the nation, and the world.

Vision

By 2020, West Virginia University will attain national research prominence, thereby enhancing educational achievement, global engagement, diversity, and the vitality and well-being of the people of West Virginia.



WVU Facts

Character: Public, land-grant institution, founded in 1867.

Research Classification: Research University (High Research Activity) as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Research Funding: In the past two years, WVU averaged $176 million in external funding - a 35 percent increase over the previous decades's average.

Combined WVU Expense Budget: Approximately $938 million.

Accreditations: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and dozens of specialized academic accrediting agencies.

Governance: WVU is governed by the WVU Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Location: Morgantown, W.Va., population 28,654, recently rated “No. 1 Small City in America” by BizJournals.com for its exceptional quality of life and also rated one of the "Best Cities for Jobs" by MSN Careers. Within easy traveling distance of Washington, D.C., to the east, Pittsburgh, Pa., to the north, and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, to the northwest. Other recent rankings: One of “Best Sports Cities” by Sporting News; 5th “Best Small Metro” by Forbes; 12th overall “Hottest Small City by Inc.; and one of “50 Smartest Places to Live” by Kiplinger’s,one of the "Best Cities for Jobs" by MSN Careers; one of the 50 best places to launch a small business by CNNMoney.com; and the second-ranking "Best College Town for Jobs" by Forbes.

 

Student Profile:

Fall 2011 enrollment is 29,617.

• 17,760 West Virginia residents, 14,973 nonresidents
• 24,932 undergraduates
• 5,606 graduate and professional students
• 14,133 female/15,484 male
• 9.9% minorities

Academic Excellence

A $300 million building program at WVU is driving new engineering, academic, research, and student wellness facilities. In addition, WVU's growing reputation as a top research institution got a recent boost from two prestigious publications: rated one of "Top 20 Places to Work in Academia" by The Scientist and winner of an "Oscar of Innovation" from R&D Magazine for a technology breakthrough.

WVU ranks nationally for prestigious scholarships – 24 Rhodes Scholars, 22 Truman Scholars, 35 Goldwater Scholars, two British Marshall Scholars, two Morris K. Udall Scholars, five USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team Members (and 11 academic team honorees), nine Boren Scholars, five Gilman Scholars, 27 Fulbright Scholars, and one Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar.

Degrees Granted

In 2010-2011, WVU awarded 6,289 degrees, over 35% of which were graduate or professional level.

Faculty & Staff Profile:

Excellent faculty—18 of whom have been named Carnegie Foundation Professors of the Year—guide and mentor students.

• 93% of full-time instructional/tenure track faculty have earned doctorates or first-professional degrees in their discipline.
• 62% of WVU classes taught by full-time instructional faculty

Instructional Faculty:

Full-time: 1,640

Part-time: 614

Total: 2,254

Extension Faculty:

Full-time: 130

Part-time: 1

Total: 131



Library Faculty:

Full-time: 38

Part-time: 3

Total: 41



Other Academic (faculty equivalents/researchers):

Full-time: 535

Part-time: 49

Total: 584

Classified Staff:

Full-time: 2,523

Part-time: 141

Total: 2,664



Non-Classified Staff:

Full-time: 802

Part-time: 39

Total: 841



Graduate Assistants:

Part-time: 1,858



Total Employees: 8,373

 

Academics:

13 colleges and schools offering 191 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs in the arts and sciences; business and economics; creative arts; engineering and mineral resources; human resources and education; journalism; law; agriculture, natural resources and design; dentistry; medicine; nursing; pharmacy; physical activity and sport sciences; plus the WVU Honors College and programs at Potomac State College. A new school of Public Health is being created. Visit: http://www.wvu.edu/Academics/

 

Civic Engagement

The Center for Civic Engagement develops and organizes service learning and volunteer opportunities for students and faculty and consults with academic units on incorporating civic engagement into the curriculum. In 2011, WVU students gave over 205,000 hours of service to the community. The CCE actively trains and recruits community agencies to become official partners to support student learning. WVU has earned the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement Classification, putting WVU in the 6% of higher education institutions that Carnegie recognizes for engagement. It is the only institution in West Virginia the foundation recognizes for its community engagement. Visit: http://cce.wvu.edu

A Military Friendly University

WVU recognizes the experience and skills that veterans bring to our campus. As such, WVU has been designated as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs and received a certificate of partnership from the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces in recognition of being a valued employer partner. WVU also employs a Veterans Advocate, a liaison between students, campus departments, and the Veterans' Administration, who helps with initiating GI Bill rights and privileges.

Honors College:

The WVU Honors College encourages a style of learning and living at WVU that is tailored to the highly motivated, excelling student’s special requirements. Innovative, challenging courses, designed to stimulate creativity and to provoke in-depth discussion, are offered in small class settings. Students may participate as Presidential Honors Scholars or Dean’s Honors Scholars, both options provide enhanced experiences. Visit: http://honors.wvu.edu/