HBCU Master’s Degree Program

Fayetteville State University

HBCU Master’s Program Phase II – Executive Summary

HBCU Master’s Degree Program Phase II at Fayetteville State University

Executive Summary: Year 1 Implementation (2023-2024)
Program Mission: Building on Phase I’s success (2018-2023), Phase II expands educational access for students in STEM, business, and healthcare disciplines through strategic investments in infrastructure, scholarships, and academic innovation. Year 1 demonstrates measurable progress in institutional growth, student support, technological advancement, and faculty development while establishing a sustainable foundation for continued excellence through 2029.

Year 1 Performance Highlights

31
New HBCU-MD2
Scholars Recruited
221
Total Students Enrolled
(COE, BCBE, CHST)
82.1%
Graduate Student
Persistence Rate
637
Faculty Scholarly
Contributions

Strategic Enrollment Growth

  • College of Education (COE): 27 students in MAT/MEd STEM programs; 11 new Phase II scholars (8 MAT, 3 MEd)
  • Broadwell College (BCBE): 173 MBA students across Healthcare Management, Health Informatics, Data Analytics, Digital Enterprise & Cloud Management, and Cyber Security; 15 new Phase II scholars
  • Lloyd College (CHST): 21 MSN students in Patient Quality and Safety program; 5 new Phase II scholars
  • Institutional Growth: Overall FSU enrollment increased from 6,223 (2016-17) to 6,847 (2023-24)

Student Success Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate: 34.7% of Fall 2023 graduate students graduated by August 2024
  • Retention & Persistence: 47.4% retained; 82.1% persisted in programs
  • Professional Development: MAT students received licensure exam prep software and financial assistance for certification fees
  • Career Readiness: VMock AI platform provided résumé feedback and job placement support across all programs

Infrastructure & Technological Innovation

Major Capital Investments: Bloomberg Terminals installed in BCBE Trading Room for real-time financial market analysis; Nursing Patient Safety Lab established with high-fidelity simulation equipment; Data Science Lab completed using Dell Bright Cluster Manager for high-performance computing; VMock AI-powered career platform deployed university-wide.

STEM Education Center: Groundbreaking ceremony held December 12, 2024, for new College of Education Building housing the STEM Education Center. Facility scheduled for completion Fall 2026 will serve as hub for instructional innovation, interdisciplinary research, and STEM educator preparation.

Academic Program Innovation

  • Fully Online MAT Program: Launched to expand access for working professionals and career changers seeking teacher certification
  • Teacher Residency Program: Partnership with local educational agencies provides clinical teaching experience in real classroom settings
  • Data Science Certificate: Students conducting applied research with Fort Bragg military partners
  • Curriculum Planning: BCBE initiated development of Fintech concentration (MBA); COE planning Instructional Technology concentration (MEd)
  • MS in Data Science: Proposal in development, supported by existing Phase I courses
  • Goal: Develop 10 new STEM graduate courses by 2029
Faculty Excellence & Research Impact: Nine faculty received travel grants for national conferences on STEM education, leadership, and academic equity. Faculty produced 637 intellectual contributions—128 peer-reviewed journal articles, 49 conference presentations, and 14 technical reports—far exceeding the annual goal of 50 publications. Research spanned STEM education, cybersecurity, data science, healthcare, instructional technology, and finance, with collaborative projects involving Fort Bragg, public health organizations, and government agencies.

Student & Faculty Engagement Events

Excellence in Teaching Conference (April 12-13, 2024): 187 educators participated, including 100+ FSU students, in 16 sessions on mental health and resilience. Keynote by 2023-24 Teacher of the Year Jahara Davis.

Student Research Symposium (May 1, 2024): 86 student presentations across multiple disciplines with 179 participants, providing platform for scholarly dissemination and interdisciplinary engagement.

BCBE MBA Research Forum (May 7, 2024): Business faculty supported student-led presentations on applied research in analytics, finance, and healthcare management.

Challenges & Strategic Responses

Year 1 encountered administrative delays due to new procurement policies requiring approval for purchases over $29,000, impacting lab equipment acquisition timelines. Scholarship disbursements began Spring 2024 rather than Fall 2023 due to enrollment scheduling. In response, FSU implemented structured workflows, realigned budget categories, and adjusted construction timelines. The university is now using persistence, graduation, and engagement data to evaluate long-term impact and guide sustainability decisions.

Institutionalization & Sustainability

FSU is integrating successful Phase II initiatives into long-term strategic plans and operating budgets. Bloomberg Terminals, Nursing Patient Safety Lab, and Data Science Lab are being embedded into academic operations. Student Research Symposium and Excellence in Teaching Conference gaining institutional support with colleges planning recurring budget allocations. The university’s data-informed approach ensures the most impactful elements become permanent features of graduate education, supporting students, faculty, and programs beyond the grant period (through 2029).

Fayetteville State University | HBCU Master’s Degree Program Phase II Report | 2023-2024