WHEREAS, Lisa Cowart has served Winthrop University with distinction and dedication as Vice President for Human Resources, demonstrating strong leadership, a positive spirit and notable compassion throughout two decades; and
WHEREAS, her tenure has been marked by an abiding commitment to supporting first and foremost Winthrop’s valued employees, as well as the Board of Trustees, university administrators, supervisors and others in navigating often-changing institutional, state and federal employment rules; and
WHEREAS; as a member of the President’s Cabinet under President Edward A. Serna for more than three years and of the executive leadership teams of other former presidents for many more, she participated in institutional strategic planning and decision-making on matters of significant importance; and
WHEREAS, Lisa Cowart was instrumental in determining how the university best supported faculty and staff during the pandemic, responded to needed changes in the workforce, and offered professional development opportunities to assist workers in improving their skill sets, while she also oversaw and implemented comprehensive multi-year classification and compensation studies and several iterations of insightful employee satisfaction surveys; and
WHEREAS; she joined the university as a benefits and compliance manager in 2005 and was promoted 15 years ago to lead the department due to her unwavering commitment to Winthrop and workplace excellence; and
WHEREAS; her steady, thoughtful influence has left a lasting legacy on the organization, having worked closely with six university presidents, welcomed and onboarded countless university employees, and championed initiatives that strengthened the workplace; and
WHEREAS; she has served her field and the community as president and as a board member for the S.C. College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and as a board member and chair for the United Way of York County.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT:
We, the undersigned, do hereby extend our deepest gratitude to Lisa Cowart for her outstanding contributions and many years of dedicated service as Vice President for Human Resources. We congratulate her on a well-earned retirement and wish her continued health, happiness and fulfillment in all future endeavors.
Approved this 30th day of October 2025
