Winthrop University is pleased to announce that the President Search Committee has chosen three finalists for the president of Winthrop University.
Dr. Edward Serna, President, University of Maine at Farmington - Farmington, Maine
Dr. Edward Serna is serving as the 15th president of the University. He came to UMF from the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith (UAFS), where he served as interim chancellor. His work at UAFS, a public, four-year university with an enrollment of 6,600 students and an annual budget of $80 million, has included leading initiatives focused on student success, student retention, and data-driven innovation. He received a doctorate of education in higher education from the University of Alabama, a master’s in management information systems from Auburn University, a master of science in industrial management from Clemson University, and a bachelor of science in business administration from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. After working as a senior business analyst and strategic management consultant in the private sector, Dr. Serna entered higher education as an assistant professor of management in Athens State University’s College of Business. Prior to serving as interim chancellor at UAFS, he was chief of staff and associate vice chancellor for external funding and chief of staff and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives.
Dr. Martin S. Roth, President, University of Maine at Charleston - Charleston, West Virginia
Dr. Martin S. Roth is President of the University of Charleston. Previously he was Dean of the Barney School of Business, University of Hartford. For 16 years he served at the University of South Carolina’s top ranked Darla Moore School of Business as Chair of the Sonoco International Business Department, Executive Director of the flagship International MBA Program, Chief Innovation & Assessment Officer, and Professor of International Business.
As a higher education leader, Roth has spent the past 30 years helping universities excel by focusing on the talent acquisition and development needs of students and organizations. Working closely with faculty and staff he has led increases in enrollments, rankings, retention, student placement and satisfaction, faculty recruiting and research support, fundraising, alumni engagement, corporate partnering, new curriculum design, and the launch of campus-based and online programs. He has won numerous teaching and research awards and is active in various community organizations. He earned his doctorate, MBA, and BA degrees from the University of Pittsburgh.
February 4, 2022
Dr. Neal Weaver, President, Georgia Southwestern State University - Americus, Georgia
Dr. Neal Weaver became the 11th president of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia on July 15, 2017. Over the past 5 years, Dr. Weaver has guided GSW’s transformation into an intellectually and socially vibrant campus with the highest enrollment in university history, five new academic programs, an academic master plan, five completed or active construction projects, improving retention and graduation rates, and a growing commitment to student success and engagement.
By prioritizing goals, strategically allocating resources and creating a culture of empowerment, Dr. Weaver has been able to leverage limited resources to achieve record-breaking results. Over the last 32 years, Dr. Weaver has led four institutions to student enrollment records and has secured more than $250 Million to improve his Universities.
Dr. Weaver is known for leading organizational change and improvement through a collaborative approach to team building and empowerment, while integrating the campus and local communities in the building process.
An avid golfer, Dr. Weaver is married to Kristi and the couple has three grown sons and two daughters-in-law.