ST. GEORGE — Sharing the progress Dixie State University is making on its strategic plan, university President Richard B. Williams will present his annual State of the University Address to detail Dixie State’s recent successes and outline its vision for the upcoming year.
The address, which is open to the community, will be delivered Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center on campus.
“This past year has ushered in record growth in student numbers, infrastructure and a variety of other accomplishments,” Williams said, “allowing us to make significant progress on our strategic plan, Dixie 2020: Status to Stature. 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 and analytics, nursing, population health, recreation and sport management, Dixie State began offering a variety of new emphases, minors and certificates this year, bringing its 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; construction of the center will begin in October. The facility will house the specialized classrooms and labs needed to offer allied health classes as well as the campus’s recreation and intramural programs and fitness exercise facilities.
Williams will also 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, which is being developed to offer master’s degree courses and a teaching certification program.
Dixie State has made strides in its multicultural efforts, its news release states, something Williams will discuss in his address. These include 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 improvements Dixie State Athletics has made to Trailblazer Nation, including renovations to Legend Solar Stadium, the baseball locker room and the Habibian strength and condition center.
Event details
- What: Dixie State University “State of the University” address by president Richard Williams.
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.
- Where: M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center on campus, 225 S. University Ave., St George.
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