Winthrop University
Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, December 18, 2025
12:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Originating in Thompson Conference Room | Tillman Building
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present In Person and via Zoom - Trustees Joel Hamilton (Chair), Kathy Bigham (Vice Chair), John Brazell, Ed Driggers, Randy Imler, Rick Lee, David McDonald, Tim Sease, Sandra Stroman, Isaiah Venning, Ashlye V. Wilkerson, and Gary Williams
Board Members Absent – Trustee Janet Smalley
President’s Cabinet Present - President Edward Serna, Kevin Butler, Joseph Miller, Tammie Phillips, and Sebastian van Delden
Other Attendees Present – Hannah Small
(Only attending Trustees, President Serna, President’s Cabinet, Board Staff, and others presenting or participating in the meeting are noted as attendees).
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, December 18, 2025, on the campus of Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Secretary to the Winthrop Board of Trustees Tammie Phillips took the role and confirmed
a quorum of the Board was present in person and virtually.
Public Notice
The meeting agenda was posted on the Winthrop University website with proper notice
of the meeting. The meeting was held in accordance with the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA).
Call to Order
Chair Hamilton called the meeting to order at 12:50 p.m. He welcomed all present, both in person and virtually.
Report from Academic Affairs Committee
Committee Chair Randy Imler provided a brief overview of the discussion during the
Academic Affairs Committee meeting which resulted in a unanimous vote to move to the
full board the establishment of two new degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in
health sciences and the Bachelor of Arts in art history and museum professions.
Report from Strategic Planning and Facilities Committee
Committee Chair Ed Driggers provided a brief overview of the discussion during the
Strategic Planning and Facilities Committee meeting which led to a unanimous vote
to move to the full board contract approvals for the Dacus and Dinkins renovations.
Report from Finance Committee
Committee Chair Tim Sease provided a brief overview of the discussion during the Finance
Committee meeting which resulted in four unanimous votes on tuition and a variety
of course and other fees for the 2026-27 academic year, which will be taken up by
the full board.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to resolutions
passed by the committees earlier in the day. Trustee Williams moved to approve. Needing
no second, the motion passed by unanimous vote.
Executive Session--pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-70(a)(1) and (2) for the purposes of discussion of employment matters and contractual items related to Winthrop University
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to move into Executive Session for “Discussion of employment matters related to proposed business centers;” “Discussion of negotiations for proposed contractual arrangements and proposed lease of property for a university program;” and “Receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to a pending, threatened, or potential claim or other matters covered by the attorney-client privilege.” Trustee Bigham made a motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Trustee Imler. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
President Serna, Tammie Phillips, Kevin Butler, Sebastian van Delden, Gary Simrill and Hannah Small were invited to remain for the executive session.
Chair Hamilton called for a vote to end executive session. Trustee Williams moved with a second from Trustee Venning to end executive session with no action taken. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Motion to Adjourn
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Imler moved with a second from Trustee Brazell to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous in favor. Hearing no objections, Chair Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 2:02 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Tammie Phillips
