WSSU to showcase student discovery, creativity during Scholarship Week 2026
Winston-Salem State University will spotlight the power of student research, creativity and discovery during Scholarship Week 2026, set for April 6–10.
Now in its 15th year, the annual celebration brings the campus community together to explore how students are generating new knowledge, tackling real-world challenges and sharing their work across disciplines. This year’s theme, “Student Success through Research and Innovation,” reflects the university’s continued focus on hands-on learning and academic excellence.
Throughout the week, classrooms, labs and shared spaces across campus will transform into hubs of inquiry and creativity, featuring interactive workshops, student panels, pop-up exhibits and art displays.
“Our students are discovering, exploring and sharing knowledge in powerful ways,” said Dr. Tangela Towns, who leads the initiative through the Office of Undergraduate Research. “At WSSU, we are rising, and Scholarship Week captures that momentum in action.”
The week begins Monday, April 6, with a campuswide kickoff designed to make research accessible and engaging. New this year, a Game Night featuring the university’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team will invite students to test their knowledge while connecting academic concepts to real-world applications.
“Research is part of what we do every day,” Towns said. “This year, we’re bringing it to life through interactive experiences that show how every discipline contributes to solving real-world problems.”
One of the week’s signature events, the Annual Scholarship Day Poster Celebration, will take place Thursday, April 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the DJR Gymnasium. The event will feature students presenting research findings and creative projects, offering a firsthand look at the depth and diversity of scholarship at WSSU.
Faculty will also play a key role throughout the week. The CUREs Mini Conference, scheduled for April 7–8, will highlight innovative approaches to embedding undergraduate research into coursework, reinforcing the university’s commitment to experiential learning.
For students, the impact of Scholarship Week goes beyond presentations.
“Scholarship Week celebrates student success,” Towns said. “It builds confidence, fosters connection and creates space for students to see themselves as scholars and innovators.”
Departments and research centers will host additional showcases throughout the week, offering both in-person and virtual opportunities for engagement and ensuring broad participation across campus.
