Meeting of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees
Full Board of Trustees
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.
Gold Room | DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present – Trustees Joel Hamilton (Chair), Kathy Bigham (Vice Chair), John Brazell, Alison Hamilton, Randy Imler, Rick Lee, Tim Sease, Janet Smalley, Isaiah Venning, and Gary Williams
Board Members Absent – David McDonald, Sandra Stroman and Ashlye V. Wilkerson
President’s Cabinet Present – President Edward Serna, Shelia Burkhalter, Kevin Butler, Beverly Gilliam, Kevin Hughes, Amanda James, Tammie Phillips, Chuck Rey, and Gary Simrill
Other Attendees Present – Ashley Abel, Kelsey Medcalf (Student Government Association), Parker Pickerign, Linda Warner (Foundation Board representative)
(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, June 25, 2026, in the DiGiorgio Center Gold Room at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Roll Call to Establish Quorum
Secretary to the Winthrop Board of Trustees Tammie Phillips took the roll and confirmed
a quorum of the Board was present.
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 9:02 a.m., and Trustee Sease gave an invocation.
Remarks from the Chairman
Chair Hamilton welcomed all attending and reviewed the items in the consent agenda
and read the resolution honoring Trustee Sease for his meritorious service to the
Board of Trustees.
Consent Agenda
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve the consent agenda related to resolutions
passed by the committees the previous day and to accept the April 30, 2026, minutes.
The Emeriti Faculty resolution was removed from the consent agenda and moved to the
Full Board agenda to be voted on later in the day. Trustee Williams moved to approve
with a second from Trustee Sease. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Remarks from the President
President Serna thanked the board for approving funding for the phase three initiatives
and discussed upcoming large projects: career center, residence hall, Fort Mill instructional
site, and advanced manufacturing engineering. He noted he believes the engineering
program will elevate the academic profile of the institution and have a huge economic
impact. Dashboards for these initiatives will go to the Board after he returns from
vacation and Hannah returns from maternity leave. He wants to be fully transparent
about what is underway and what we are highlighting next year. He reported looking
ahead to the next strategic plan three-year sprint as well as the excitement of looking
back over the last three years and the progress that has been made. Winthrop is a
very different institution than three years ago, and we need to challenge ourselves
to be a little more aspirational, to be a little bolder and to really push ourselves
to do things that maybe three years ago we could not even consider. The planned timeline
for the next sprint is to start forming a strategic planning steering committee much
like we did in 2023-24 and working with cabinet, faculty, staff, and SGA to make sure
we have good representation from across the campus. His plan is to bring Berkeley
Research Group (BRG) back to avoid having to start at square one with a new consultant.
He is targeting the Board of Trustees retreat for a meaningful workshop with BRG about
the next sprint with the hope of presenting the plan at the first full Board of Trustees
meeting after the retreat. The plan will then be shared with campus along with an
economic impact study (the Winthrop University Foundation will once again sponsor
that initiative). If everything goes as planned, next summer on July 1 we will be
ready to move from sprint 1 into sprint 2. He wants to keep that momentum going to
make sure it is seamless.
Committee Reports
Committee on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment
Committee Chair Imler reported on the highlights from the committee meeting. Dr. James presented the enrollment report looking at total enrollment approaching or exceeding 5,500 students on campus this year. Ms. Patton provided an analysis of the dual enrollment programs and gave an overview of the past 10 years. She reported the program has experienced a 550% growth over that time, which is phenomenal. Ms. Burkhalter discussed the programs and the people that surround our students when they have either a physical or mental health need on campus. Provost van Delden talked about the Commission on Higher Education including analysis of overall programs. Winthrop is well ahead of the curve on that. He also outlined progress of our new degree programs. Dr. Poole talked about the new model for student advising across campus.
Committee on External Engagement and Athletics
Committee Chair Williams reported on all the exciting activities that are going on. Mr. Hughes reported total giving for the fiscal year was $8,810,000 from 6,400 gifts and the Winthrop fund raised $444,000. The President’s Circle has reached a new record high of 500 people. He reported on the progress of the capital campaign, Boldly Rising: Winthrop’s Campaign for What Is Next. He encouraged all trustees to take the lead and participate in the campaign. Ms. Cheney gave an overview of Bleed Garnet, Give Gold (BG3) with 1,084 donors who gave $340,000 in one day. Ms. Jurado reported assets are at $113 million for the Winthrop University Foundation with more than 950 active funds. The Foundation Board has spent years strengthening the governance and recently added three new very successful alumni board members from around the southeast. Mr. Rey reported the athletes’ cumulative GPA of 3.434. He highlighted volleyball student-athlete Avery Jolly, Coach Kendall Fuller and gave accolades to the softball, golf, track, eSports, and baseball teams for excellent seasons. He shared the excitement of watching the athletic teams interact with the MaxAbilites special needs kids. Eagle Club saw a 50% increase this year with athletics giving at $1.85 million. He invited the trustees to the Meet the Teams event tonight at the Coliseum. Ms. Price gave an update on the history of the Eagle, Winthrop’s mascot and shared the Bring the You banners that will be installed all over campus.
Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities
Committee Vice Chair Lee reported it was a great meeting with lots of new information. He reported Mr. Butler discussed the possibility of monetizing underperforming assets owned by Winthrop University and the topic had to do with the land along Cherry Road. It is an asset that could benefit the school financially. He and a consulting firm have been studying the land and modeling on how it could best be used. The process of monetizing this type of asset would provide Winthrop with additional funds to enhance our ability to provide resources and instruction to our students. President Serna presented a request for Strategic Plan Phase 3 funding, which was discussed and approved as an action item. Mr. Grigg presented an updated Campus Master Plan and provided an update on the transition to SSC for facilities maintenance. He reported SSC is fully staffed and has an active quality control program with an overall performance improvement. He then provided an update on the many projects underway on campus with a number of them approaching completion or close out. The committee discussed and clarified the by-law provisions regarding contract versus project approval by the board. The result will be a process which accurately aligns with the bylaws and speeds project execution.
Committee on Finance and Audit
Committee Vice Chair Brazell reported the committee passed the resolution honoring Trustee Sease’s service and thanked him for his contributions. He reviewed the items approved on the consent agenda. He reported on the presentation from CampusWorks and the recommendations on improving internal processes and communication. Ms. Lewis gave a positive financial report through May, and Winthrop’s overall financial position remains stable. Mr. Butler gave a presentation on the overall budget for FY2027, and it was approved as presented.
Reports of Affiliated Groups
Report of Faculty Conference
Faculty Conference Chair Adam Glover was traveling and unable to attend the meeting. He provided a written report that was posted on the portal.
Report of Staff Conference
Staff Conference Chair Maura Conway was not in attendance, and no written report was submitted.
Report of Student Government Association
Student Government Association President Kelsey Medcalf introduced herself along with Vice President Jalen Hayes. She gave a brief overview of the platform “Ready to Listen, Ready to Connect and Ready for WU” and its relevance to the current student body, along with the goals for the 2026-2027 school year. She said the Ready to Connect mission is to connect and resolve the disconnect between leadership and students. She discussed introducing a State of the Student Body address to be given by the Student Body President at least once a semester. Applications for secretary and parliamentarian have been sent out, and those will close on July 3rd. She asked everyone to save the date for the Administrative Meet and Greet on September 21st.
New Business
Chair Hamilton called for a motion for the ratification of a resolution to lease real property to ACE Solutions VV2, LLC as required in the bylaws at the first regular meeting of the Board following the action of the Executive Committee. Trustee Bigham so moved, with a second from Trustee Lee. Motion carried.
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to approve a resolution regarding the appointment of emeriti faculty discussed in the Academic, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management committee the previous day. The committee did not have a quorum, so no action was taken during committee. Trustee Willams made a motion, seconded by Trustee Lee. Motion carried.
Executive Session
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to enter executive session. Trustee Lee moved to
enter executive session pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-70(a)(1) and (2) for the
purpose of discussion of employee matters and legal matters covered by the attorney-client
privilege.
It was noted that upon returning to open session, action may be taken on items discussed
in executive session. Trustee Imler seconded the motion. Motion to enter executive
session passed by unanimous vote.
[Only the Board of Trustees, President Serna, Ashley Abel and Tammie Phillips remained for Executive Session.]
Motion to Leave Executive Session
Chair Hamilton called for a motion to leave executive session. Trustee Sease moved, seconded by Trustee Williams. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Chair Hamilton reported no action was taken during executive session.
Action Item following Executive Session
Trustee Lee made a motion to amend the President’s existing contract for five years of additional service and to keep the other terms of the current contract the same. Trustee Williams seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Old Business
No old business was discussed.
Motion to Adjourn
Chair Hamilton thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the meeting. Chair Hamilton
called for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Williams moved. The motion was seconded by
Trustee Lee and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
