Elevate to R1

Morgan State University’s Journey to R1 Research Status

Morgan State University, a historically Black university in Baltimore, is committed to advancing its research capabilities and has set a goal to achieve Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (CCIHE) R1 status by 2030. Building on its successful attainment of R2 status in 2018, MSU's 2020 Strategic Plan focuses on expanding research funding, recruiting postdoctoral researchers, and improving infrastructure to support institutional growth. By fostering collaborations with industry and government agencies, the university aims to enhance research opportunities, increase doctoral conferrals, and drive innovation that benefits local and global communities.

Advancing Research, Innovation, and Excellence

Morgan State University (MSU), a Historically Black University in Baltimore, serves nearly 10,000 students, including 17% graduate students. While remaining true to its mission of providing high-quality education and support for students is actively working to enhance its status as a premier research institution. MSU has developed two 10-year Strategic Plans to guide its growth, one in 2011 and another in 2020. The 2011 Strategic Plan set a goal of achieving CCIHE R2 classification by 2020, which was successfully accomplished in 2018. Building upon this momentum, the 2020 Strategic Plan established an ambitious goal: to achieve CCIHE R1 “Very High Research” status by 2030.

Strategic Goals Driving MSU’s Research Expansion

MSU’s 2020 Strategic Plan identifies six major objectives, including two that directly support this initiative:

• Goal 3: Elevate Morgan’s Status to R1 Very High Doctoral Research University
• Goal 4: Expand and Improve Campus-Wide Infrastructure to Support Operational Excellence and Increase Institutional Capacity

Achieving R1 status will not only enhance research at MSU but also benefit Baltimore, the Maryland region, the U.S., and societies worldwide.

Investing in Research and Education

MSU is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment. Through collaborations with industry, government agencies, and other research institutions, MSU will expand research opportunities, leverage resources, and tackle real-world challenges.

The key focus areas of this initiative fall under two categories:

Research Goals

• • Increase Science & Engineering (S&E) and Non-S&E Research Expenditures
  • Recruit 5 Postdoctoral Researchers Per Year
  • Enhance Research Administrative Services
  • Expand Research & Development (R&D) Capabilities to Secure More Funding

Educational Goals

• • Enhance Faculty Training and Professional Development
  • Provide Funding to Attract Doctoral Students to New Programs 
  • Support 10 Research Assistantships (RAs) Per Year
  • Increase Doctoral Conferrals in STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Other Fields

Tracking Progress and Ensuring Sustainability

MSU has established clear performance metrics and benchmarks to measure progress toward R1 status. Regular reporting and evaluation will ensure transparency and accountability in achieving this goal. Beyond reaching R1, MSU is committed to sustaining research excellence, securing long-term funding, and fostering a lasting culture of innovation.

A Transformative Future for MSU

Morgan State University is embarking on a transformative journey to become an R1 Very High Research Doctoral University while remaining true to its core mission of providing high-quality education and serving as an anchor institution for its community.

As MSU President Dr. David Wilson stated in a Baltimore Sun editorial:

“As Morgan State reaches for the sky in research rankings, it holds tight to its roots.”

With strong leadership, commitment, and strategic planning, MSU is well-positioned to achieve R1 status by 2030 or earlier, ensuring a lasting impact on research, education, and society.

Application Forms:

Postdoctoral Researcher Hiring Application Form

Travel Support Application Form

Dissertation Completion Grant Application Form

PhD Stipend Application Form

Administrative Team:

Dr. Oscar Barton (PI), Dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering is a former member of MSU's Task Force on Research Infrastructure (TFRI) will serve as the PI and will be responsible for the overall management, monitoring, and the integrity of the project. He will oversee all operations of this project.

Dr. Willie E. May (Co-PI), Vice President, Research & Economic Development. Dr. May is the former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce (and Director of NIST), and the President Elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS). Dr. May will lead this project in collaboration with Dr. Barton.

Mr. Wayne E. Swann (Administrative Team Member), Director of Technology Transfer; Chief R1 Strategist & Architect. Mr. Swann will serve as the R1 Leader and is responsible for Carnegie metric assessments. He will ensure that this project will make the maximum contribution to moving MSU toward R1 status.

Ms. Gillian Silver (Administrative Team Member), Director of the Office of Research Administration. Ms. Silver will ensure that the MSU Office of Research Administration will serve all infrastructure needs and will be strengthened for more to handle grants, cooperative agreements, and contract using this award. 

Education Team:

Dr. Arlene Cole-Rhodes, team leader, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & Research. She will serve as Key Education Personnel serving as Education Thrust Area Leader. Dr. Arlene Cole-Rhodes is responsible for providing oversight of all graduate programs in the School of Engineering.

Dr. Zhuping Sheng, Graduate Program Director (GPD) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a GPD, he will serve by recruiting graduate students, coordinating with other GPDs on this project and advise and guide graduate students and mentor postdoctoral researchers.

Dr. Guangming Chen, Graduate Program Director of Industrial Engineering (IE). Dr. Chen has served as a graduate program coordinator/director since 2008. He will serve in recruiting graduate students, advising/ supervising IE graduate students.

Dr. Natasha Pratt-Harris, Graduate Program Director of Applied Sociology and Social Justice Program. She will serve as Key Personnel on the Education Thrust Area Team.

Dr. Mark Garrison, Mark Garrison has forty years of experience as instructor, researcher, author, and administrator. As dean, he oversees all graduate programming. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) manages the full graduate life cycle from admissions to graduation.

Dr. Kevin Bradley, Director of Graduate Professional Development, School of Graduate Studies. He has facilitated over 30 professional development workshops and serves in Evaluating an Innovative, Structured Teaching Assistantship Program.

Dr. Roni Ellington, School of Education and Urban Studies. STEM Education: PI MD Collaborative for Research in Urban STEM Education (NSF); Mathematics & STEM Education.

Research Team:

Dr. Cliston Cole, Team leader, Dr. Cole’s research focuses on improving the quality of life for humans and protecting cyber-physical systems in networks by developing advanced software and hardware systems for biological and communication applications.

Dr. Farin Kamangar, Assistant Vice President for Research, is a highly accomplished researcher and administrator will substantial grants and publication history. He will ensure that the MSU research infrastructure will be strengthened using this project, and proper research training will be offered to faculty members and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Seong W. Lee, He will serve as Key Personnel on the Research Thrust Area Team. Dr. Seong W. Lee currently serves as Director of Advanced Energy Systems & Environmental Control Technologies (AESECT) Laboratory.

Dr. Steve Efe, He will serve as Key Personnel on the Research Thrust Area Team. Dr. Efe impactful efforts of his research focuses on addressing emerging engineering and societal issues associated with civil infrastructure system. Dr. Efe’s teaching and research programs at MSU will further expand into enhancement of the STEM program.

Dr. Dong Hee Kang, He will serve as Key Personnel on the Research Thrust Area Team. As a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Morgan State University, Dr. Kang has made substantial contributions to the institution's research ability.

Dr. Mansoureh Jeihani, Director, National Transportation Center. She will serve as Key Personnel on the Research Thrust Area Team; expertise in intelligent transportation systems connected & automated vehicles, and Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Computing. Serve SATCAS team.