ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University wrapped up its 2025-26 Winthrop: United in Excellence strategic plan initiatives this summer, President Edward Serna announced at a welcome back event for faculty and staff today. Nine initiatives were identified last year to support academic program innovation, student success and enrichment, enrollment growth, alumni engagement, professional development and employee satisfaction, and campus space optimization.
“We see institutions across the country and down the street struggling. What we have attempted to do over the last four years is enact changes that will place this university in a strong and resilient position,” Serna said. “We are on the right track to accomplish what’s needed to keep this institution thriving for years to come.”
He acknowledged the campus’ efforts to make big changes happen in a short amount of time.
“I see how hard you are working to keep the momentum up and progress continuing. It does not go unnoticed by me, the leadership team or the board.”
Serna said the next set of initiatives will be shared with the campus and community in the coming weeks. He noted the 2026-27 year will close out what he calls the first three-year “sprint” of the plan.
The initiatives from 2025-26 included the following:
Academic Program Innovation
Three undergraduate degree programs were targeted for progress in 2025-26. Winthrop secured significant external financial pledges to help start an advanced manufacturing engineering program responsive to regional workforce development needs. The program is on track to begin the approval processes for a fall 2027 launch. The new bachelor’s degree in health sciences is expected to have broad market appeal and was fully approved by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. A soft launch will happen this fall. The university expects approval from the FAA to officially offer in 2027 the bachelor’s in aviation and business management degree program announced last fall.
Student Success and Engagement
Based on decades of research and reflecting national best practices, Winthrop sought in 2025-26 to move to a centralized professional advising model for all undergraduates beginning this fall. The effort will support student academic success and retention. It was led by the Office of Student Success and the academic colleges.
The Division of Student Affairs advanced its comprehensive career development strategy by establishing career learning outcomes and academic integration as initial priorities. A new physical location for the Center for Career Development and Internships is under construction in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.
Winthrop Athletics took a major step forward in its already successful club sports foray by hiring the first program director. The position provides structure to help strengthen the student experience, grow enrollment, and elevate Winthrop. The new varsity-caliber club sport launch of women’s flag football was a highlight, along with a new community initiative in collaboration with Student Affairs to launch Inspire Soccer for individuals with intellectual impairment.
Enrollment Growth Support
The university successfully rolled out a new Winthrop brand, Bring the You, which has captured campus excitement around recent sustained enrollment growth, highlighting the institution’s welcoming environment and its students’ individuality. A new and elevated Presidential Student Ambassador Program has launched with an inaugural cohort of 35 exceptional students who will represent Winthrop at the highest level beginning this fall. This initiative will strengthen the visitor experience while creating meaningful leadership opportunities for students and supporting Winthrop's enrollment and engagement goals.
Alumni Engagement
An alumni survey initiative undertaken in 2025-26 is ready to kick off Sept. 1 and will be available to nearly 70,000 Winthrop graduates. On the heels of a historic fundraising year with nearly $12 million raised, the goal is to determine how alumni most want to be engaged with the university and to inspire them be even more involved and financially supportive of their alma mater.
Professional Development and Employee Satisfaction
The Divisions of Human Resources and Academic Affairs collaborated to expand professional development opportunities and enhance employee engagement in 2025-26. The LinkedIn Learning platform, Center of Professional Excellence Virtual Academy, CampusWorks Organizational Effectiveness Assessment as well as training sessions, wellness fairs, and orientations all provided engagement opportunities for faculty and staff, consistent with Winthrop’s continued commitment to supporting employee well-being and professional growth.
Campus Space Optimization
The Division of Finance and Business Affairs made progress on executing a plan to consolidate space use and to lease, repurpose or dispose of excess campus lands and buildings, updating the existing Campus Master Plan to support the desired outcomes of Winthrop: United in Excellence.
For more information, please contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or 803/323-2236.
