ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dr. Adrienne McCormick, Winthrop University’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), was announced today as the new provost and executive vice president for academic
affairs.
The provost reports directly to President Dan Mahony. Second to the president, the provost is responsible for leading the institution in the president’s absence.
President Mahony noted McCormick’s impressive commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, a key component of the Winthrop Plan; her focus on pursuing new partnerships and opportunities for students, faculty and staff; and her dedication to recruiting high-quality faculty.
“Dr. McCormick has demonstrated a keen understanding of the complex nature of both the higher education landscape and how it relates to Winthrop,” he said. “Her collaborative, process-driven leadership shows her strong commitment to the success of students, faculty and staff.”
Mahony also thanked the search committee for its important work in bringing the most qualified candidates to campus.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with President Mahony and our Board of Trustees, and thank them for their confidence in my ability to lead the division of Academic Affairs and serve the entire Winthrop community,” McCormick said. “I joined Winthrop as a dean because I was deeply impressed by the student-centeredness I see across the board here. It truly is our superpower. I look forward to exploring how we can sustain and expand upon it, as we prepare curious, resilient, and skilled graduates.”
McCormick will assume her new duties in July. She’ll replace Provost Debra Boyd, who will take a year-long sabbatical before returning to the classroom.
“The search process showed me that we are eager to increase support for faculty and staff and opportunities for innovation, while the national stage shows us all that we must remain good stewards of campus safety, inclusion, and affordability,” McCormick noted. “These are all areas I am excited to pursue.”
Since arriving at Winthrop in July 2018, McCormick has established a College of Arts and Sciences facilities planning group; completed a CAS strategic plan in line with Winthrop Plan goals; raised professional development support by establishing a fixed travel support amount and launching the Digital Humanities travel fellowship; and collaborated on an application for the Clara Booth Luce Scholarship to support women students in physical and computer sciences and mathematics.
McCormick previously served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of English at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she worked extensively on faculty recruitment and development as well as the development and support of initiatives designed to build and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations within the college and across the university. She has also provided leadership in external relations, partnership building, fundraising, and fiscal management.
An English professor, McCormick earned her doctorate in English and a graduate certificate in women's studies from the University of Maryland at College Park before joining the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1998. She worked there in several roles: as interim associate provost for curriculum, assessment and academic support, interim assistant provost for special initiatives, chair of the Department of English, and director of the Women’s Studies Program.
McCormick also holds a master's degree with a creative thesis in poetry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a bachelor's degree in English literature and dramatic arts and sciences from Queens University of Charlotte. She is the author of book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals on contemporary women poets, filmmakers, and dramatists.
For more information, contact Nicole Chisari, communications coordinator, at 803/323-2236 or chisarin@winthrop.edu.
