Winston-Salem State University

History

Winston-Salem State University was founded as "Slater Industrial Academy" on September 28, 1892. In 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly renamed the school "Winston-Salem Teachers College" and the North Carolina State Board of Education allowed the college to award elementary teacher education degrees, making it the first black institution to provide this specialized training.

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $30 million to Winston-Salem State which is the second largest single gift in the university's history. In 2025, she donated an additional $50 million which is the largest single gift in the university's history.

Academics

Winston-Salem State offers over 40 academic majors and 10 graduate degrees. The school enrolls approximately 5,200 students and employs 400 faculty and over 550 staff members.

Colleges & Departments

College of Arts, Sciences, Businesses, and Education

School of Health Sciences

Graduate and Professional Programs

University College and Lifelong Learning

Rankings

Winston-Salem State University was ranked the #7 top college in the United States by the Social Mobility Index college rankings.

Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by U.S. News & World Report in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South category between 2001 and 2009. By 2016, the university had fallen to a ranking of #84 in the same category.

In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Winston-Salem State 96th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Winston-Salem State's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service. Washington Monthly also ranked Winston Salem State 24th in Social Mobility.

Library

C. G. O’Kelly Library is the main academic library on the campus of Winston-Salem State University, which was originally the Slater Industrial Academy. The original library was housed in Blair Hall until 1967 when the new library was built and O’Kelly Library has gone through two additions and one renovation within the past forty years.

Campus

The campus has more than 40 buildings covering 117 acres (0.47 km2). WSSU's Diggs Gallery was recognized as one of the top African-American galleries in its region.

Student life

Athletics

Winston-Salem State University is currently a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in NCAA Division II. From the 2006-07 season through the 2009–10 season, the Rams competed in the NCAA's Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), despite being a transitional member that was attempting to attain full membership within the MEAC or within NCAA Division I, in which the Rams were also scheduled to begin full membership and gain access to NCAA tournaments in 2011. However, it never occurred due to financial difficulties.

Esports Integration

Winston-Salem State University integrated esports into its computer science program with a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program. The initiative includes an esports lab, offering hands-on learning and attracting underrepresented minority students to STEM fields while expanding career paths in the esports industry.

Student Organizations

There are over 100 student organizations at WSSU. Including the Student Government Association, fraternities and sororities, Honor societies, and the Red Sea of Sound marching band.

Notable alumni

Ted Blunt, retired elected official, educator and former athlete, served as the former president, City Council of Wilmington, Delaware

Javonte Cooke, NBA player

Rajah Caruth, NASCAR driver

Carla Cunningham, Democratic politician. She is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 106th District, being first elected in 2012

Donald Evans (American football), former professional American football Defensive Lineman in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers & New York Jets

Louis Farrakhan, religious leader, African-American activist, and social commentator

Oronde Gadsden, former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins

Charlie Brady Hauser former North Carolina State Legislator General Assembly 1983-1984 and 1984–1986. The originator of CIAA 1.6 Rule Prediction Table in 1969. WSSU Education Department Chair. Challenged NC Jim Crow Bus Laws in 1945, 9 years before Rosa Parks challenge. He was part of the Freedom Riders documentary You Don't Have to Ride Jim Crow. Hauser was given a Merit Award from US Power Squadrons for charting NC Intercoastal Waterways in 1977.

William Hayes, American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Cleo Hill, professional basketball player who was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the first round (8th overall) of the 1961 NBA draft.

Maria Howell, actress and singer. She made her film debut in The Color Purple (1985) and appeared in Hidden Figures (2016) as Ms. Sumner.