At William and Mary, teaching, research, and public service are linked through programs designed to preserve, transmit, and expand knowledge. Effective teaching imparts knowledge and encourages the intellectual development of both student and teacher. Quality research supports the educational program by introducing students to the challenge and excitement of original discovery, and is a source of the knowledge and understanding needed for a better society.

Consistent with our vision of the college as a community of scholars and learners, our students engage in original research conducted under the close supervision and in intellectual partnership with faculty. Our faculty has sustained a steady growth in research over the past decade and externally funded research has doubled. A number of research centers and institutes represent the vitality of the research and scholarship at the College of William and Mary.