Graduation and Student Success

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Congratulations to the Class of 2017! More than 5,600 students are graduating this spring. Combined with December graduation, we are awarding more than 10,000 degrees this academic year, setting a new record for NC State.

I am especially proud of our graduation rates since we made enhancing student success the first goal in NC State’s strategic plan, Pathway to the Future. In the past five years, graduation rates and the number of degrees conferred have increased, all while time to degree has decreased. This means that more of our students are graduating and earning degrees, and in less time – resulting in a lower burden of debt for graduates and their families. If you would like to read more about our efforts and progress in this area, see our Five-Year Student Success Report 2011-2016.

The experiential education that these graduates have received while at NC State means that they are ready to solve real-world challenges, whether through joining the workforce, continuing on to graduate school, launching an entrepreneurial venture, serving others, or forging a different path. Our graduates will bring their Think and Do spirit out into the world, and our world will be better for it.

Graduates, I look forward to hearing of your future endeavors and seeing you again as alumni. For the rest of us, I look forward to a productive summer and getting ready for the new academic year. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.

Sincerely,

Randy Woodson