North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a public, comprehensive, land-grant university committed to fulfilling its fundamental purposes through exemplary undergraduate and graduate instruction, scholarly and creative research, and effective public service. The university offers degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels with emphasis on engineering, science, technology, literature and other academic areas. As one of North Carolina’s three engineering colleges, the university offers Ph.D. programs in engineering. Basic and applied research is conducted by faculty in university centers of excellence, in interinstitutional relationships, and through significant involvement with several public and private agencies. The university also conducts major research through engineering, transportation, and its extension programs in agriculture.

For the present planning period (1997–1999), the University will continue to place emphasis on strengthening its programs in engineering, the sciences, and technology. The University is also authorized to plan, in conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a joint master’s degree program in social work.

The purpose of the University is to provide an intellectual setting where students in higher education may find a sense of identification, belonging, responsibility, and achievement that will prepare them for roles of leadership and service in the communities where they will live and work. In this sense, the University serves as a laboratory for the development of excellence in teaching, research and public service.

The program of the University focuses on the broad fields of agriculture, engineering, technology, business, education, nursing, the liberal arts and science.

The major goals of the University as approved by the faculty are as follows:

• To help students improve their interpersonal and communication skills.To insure adequate career preparation for students that will enable them to lead productive lives.

• To develop innovative instructional programs that will meet the needs of a diverse student body and the expectations of the various professions.

• To maintain an environment which fosters quality instruction and encourages the further professional development of faculty and staff which supports the ideals of academic freedom and shared governance.

• To assist students in developing their powers of critical and analytical thinking.

• To promote managerial efficiency in all administrative functions, including the continued development of operational efficiency and productivity in the accounting and fiscal system of the University consistent with the needs of the various University programs and functions and with the expectations of state and federal regulations.

• To assist students in developing in-depth competence in at least one subject area for a global economy and for an environment with changing technology.

• To aid students in the further development of self-confidence and a positive self image.

• To identify and secure additional sources for internal and external funds to support the development of competitive financial aid awards to academically qualified students and to needy students.

• To further develop and maintain the institutional research and planning processes that are necessary for the continued competitiveness, relevance, productivity, and credibility of the University, its programs, and its operations.

• To develop and maintain undergraduate and graduate programs of high academic quality and excellence.

• To encourage research and other creative endeavors by the faculty and students.

• To identify and help satisfy educational, cultural and other public service needs in the state, nation, and international environment.

• To plan, construct, and maintain physical facilities for the achievement of the goals of the educational programs, research, and administrative functions.

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