Skip to main content
Wilson College of Textiles

Strategic Plan and Culture Charter

Our strategic plan defines our vision, mission, priorities and core values that align with our culture charter and guide us in all that we do.

Our Vision

A compassionate world in which textiles enhance sustainability and quality of life for all.

Our Mission

We exist to advance the success of our students, and the textile industry in North Carolina, the U.S., and around the world, through teaching innovation, research excellence, strong partnerships and service.

Our Priorities

Nurture a hyper-collaborative culture rooted in equality of opportunity.

Aligned with the following goals from NC State’s 2021-2030 Strategic Plan:

  • Goal 2: Ensure preeminence in research, scholarship, innovation and collaboration.
  • Goal 7: Elevate the national and global reputation and visibility of NC State

Aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Advance sustainability in all of our work.

Aligned with the following goals from NC State’s 2021-2030 Strategic Plan:

  • Goal 3: Expand and advance our service to the citizens of the state and beyond ー defining the standard for a 21st-century land-grant university.
  • Goal 5: Improve institutional effectiveness through transformative technologies, cutting-edge processes and actionable data.

Aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Enhance quality of life for all.

Aligned with the following goals from NC State’s 2021-2030 Strategic Plan:

  • Goal 1: Empower students for a lifetime of success and impact.
  • Goal 4: Champion a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and well-being in all we do.
  • Goal 6: Lead in developing innovative partnerships, entrepreneurial thinking and applied problem-solving.

Aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Our Core Values

Compassion

We demonstrate compassion for each other, our alumni, our partners and everyone we come in contact with.

Equity

We commit to deconstructing inequities and building a welcoming environment where everyone belongs.

Collaboration

We collaborate with everyone that seeks to use textiles to improve the quality of life.

Innovation

We drive research and scholarship to push the textile industry forward and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Sustainability

We integrate sustainability in all that we do to improve our society and protect the environment.

See our commitment to sustainability in action

More Stories
Karen Leonas

Taking a Systems Approach to Sustainability Research at NC State

Professor Karen Leonas prides herself in actionable research that is ready for real-world applications.  
Ahmed El-Shafei stands to left of a machine in the Pilot Plant.

Wilson College of Textiles Professor is NC State’s Innovator of the Year

Professor Ahmed El-Shafei’s patented dyeing technology takes a meaningful step towards a greener textile industry. 
Jake Papazekos leans on sign reading "Textiles Complex" in graduation gown and attire.

Jake Papazekos ’23: Molding the Textiles Industry at Simplifyber

Jake Papazekos, a recent graduate of the polymer and color chemistry program, shares his journey from Wilson College of Textiles student to material researcher at Raleigh-based nonwovens startup Simplifyber. 

Culture Charter

In 2018, the Wilson College employees developed the college’s first Culture Charter to embody what it means to commit ourselves to our Core Values.

Our Leaders:

Leadership and Collaboration

  • Lead on strategy, vision and culture.
  • Listen and communicate with empathy and openness.
  • Approach problems collaboratively and aligned with our values.
  • Make evidence-based, equitable, transparent and timely decisions.

Culture, Equity and Compassion

  • Act to expand equity for underrepresented / marginalized groups.
  • Deconstruct inequity.
  • Invest in all members equitably to support their full potential.

Professional Development

  • Demonstrate accountability for personal learning and growth.
  • Ensure opportunities for learning and growth for all.
  • Respect boundaries, capacities and contributions of others.

Our Community:

Culture, Equity and Compassion

  • Advocate for underrepresented and marginalized peers.
  • Identify challenges and advocate for solutions to inequity.
  • Advocate for leadership accountability.
  • Listen and communicate with empathy and openness.

Collaboration

  • Support leadership in making decisions by sharing contributions, expertise and perspectives.
  • Share resources (funds, space, expertise, tools, etc.), opportunities and ideas to support the success of strategic and cultural goals.
  • Solve problems collaboratively and aligned with our values.
  • Support others in articulating their boundaries / contributions.

Professional Development

  • Demonstrate accountability for personal learning and growth.
  • Advocate for themselves and peers seeking opportunities for learning and growth.

Sustainability is not only a priority in all that we do here at the Wilson College, it’s also one of the core values that informs each decision we make. If you are printing the Wilson College of Textiles’ Strategic Plan and Culture Charter, use this more sustainable option, which uses less ink.