President’s Letter
Dear Weber State Family:
In 2021, Weber State University adopted its strategic plan, Weber State Amplified, a 5-year plan for growth, outlining a series of goals to create a brilliant future for students.
Now that we’ve passed the halfway mark for reaching those goals, I’m excited to report on some of the major accomplishments we’ve made so far.
Enrollment is the lifeblood for any university. While many schools nationwide are struggling, I’m pleased to report that Weber State experienced record enrollment, eclipsing 30,000 students for the first time last fall.
These numbers not only reflect recruiting more students but, just as importantly, retaining students. In the 2021–22 academic year, 63% of students graduating with a bachelor’s degree previously completed an associate’s or certificate at WSU.
Our ultimate goal is to see students through to completion, and I’m proud that our graduation rate has climbed from 31% to 44% in just over a decade.
Nearly 80% of 2022 WSU graduates received degrees or certificates in high-yield fields, which the Utah Department of Workforce Services defines as areas that lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs.
Is it any wonder that, in a 2023 report, the Utah Foundation determined Weber State the best 10-year investment in Utah? This is just the latest in a steady drumbeat of accolades touting Weber State’s ROI for our graduates.
Of course, our focus goes beyond numbers to provide personalized opportunities, experiences and support to students. Read about recent graduate Rachel Okwabi overcoming financial hurdles with the help of scholarships to become a registered respiratory therapist, and current student Matthew Finger, who received the university’s first full-time NASA graduate fellowship and is developing innovative software.
This report also celebrates many other Wildcat achievements, such as Director of International Programs and Services Mary Machira’s Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to build higher-ed connections in South Korea, and track and field athlete Cody Canard shattering school and Big Sky records in the javelin.
In addition to the achievements mentioned here, I encourage you to read about all the other successes in this year’s report. They continue to illustrate what makes Weber State brilliant!
Best,
