President Williams to deliver State of the University Address
President Williams to deliver State of the University Address
Sharing the progress Dixie State University is making on its strategic plan, President Richard B. Williams will present his annual State of the University Address to detail the university’s recent successes and outline the vision for the upcoming year.
The address, which is open to the community, is set to take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 20 in the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center on the DSU campus.
“This past year has ushered in record growth in student numbers, infrastructure and reputea variety of other accomplishments, allowing us to make significant progress on Dixie State University’sour strategic plan, strategic plan, Dixie 2020: Status to Stature,” Williams said. “The entire community’s support for our university has been vitally important to our success, and I am excited to share the results of our continuous momentum.”
As Dixie State moves forward in its strategic goal to broaden and enhance its academic offerings, Williams will highlight the seven baccalaureate majors the institution was approved this year to offer. In addition to bachelor’s degrees in Bioinformatics, Applied Sociology, Studio Art, Information Systems & Analytics, Nursing, Population Health, Recreation & Sport Management, Dixie State began offering a variety of new emphases, minors, and certificates this year, bringing the university’s number of degrees to 71 and academic programs up to 188.
Additionally, the university is working toward offering its first-ever master’s degrees in Accountancy, Software Development and Genetic Counseling as well as bachelor’s programs in Mechanical Engineering, Arts Production, Design, Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry and Music Performance.
Concerning campus growth, Williams will outline plans for the university’s new 155,000-square-foot Human Performance Center, on which construction will begin in October. The facility will house the specialized classrooms and labs needed to offer allied health classes as well as campus’s recreation and intramural programs and fitness exercise facilities. He also will share future plans for the university’s Innovation Plaza, which is planned to be housed in the former East Elementary building, as well as Dixie Online, for which master’s degree courses and a teaching certification program are being developed.
Williams also will discuss the strides Dixie State has made in its multicultural efforts, including hosting diversity events and training programs and ensuring that women and minorities are represented in faculty, staff and administration. The university’s community engagement efforts have also been widespread with the creation of its Institute of Politics & Public Affairs and Community Engagement Center.
Rounding out his presentation, Williams will share about the improvements Dixie State Athletics has made to Trailblazer Nation, including the renovations to Legend Solar Stadium, the baseball locker room and the Habibian strength and condition center.
