The Graduate Studies Advisory Board for Winthrop University is comprised of alumni of graduate programs and community leaders from York and Mecklenburg counties and the surrounding area. The Board advises the Dean of the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education and provides essential leadership in community relations, fundraising and professional advocacy that benefits students in all graduate programs at Winthrop University.
The Graduate Studies Advisory Board is currently focusing on the following funding priorities: The Graduate Studies Innovation Fund, and The Excellence in Graduate Studies Scholarship.
Advisory board members include: Alison Jean Hamilton, Dr. Bill Rogers, Celeste Tiller, Chisa J. Putman, Elaine Whitton Davis, Gale N. DiGiorgio, Jennifer McAdams, Jeremy Winkler, Jermaine Evans, and Lori Robishaw.
Alison Jean Hamilton
Alison is a Financial Advisor. Alison earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Winthrop University. Originally from Charlotte, Alison now lives in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach. Alison is a Teaching Associate at Coastal Carolina University teaching Business Finance. She is Past-President of the Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach. She often attends Winthrop Men’s Basketball games.
Dr. Bill Rogers
I grew up in San Francisco and was interested in both biology and art from an early age. Although I have done research on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, as well as other groups, my primary academic joy was in teaching. I was a strong advocate for the Biology Department’s Graduate Program and had over 35 graduate students in my 31 years at Winthrop. I was named a Winthrop Distinguished Professor in 2002.
Celeste Tiller
Bio Coming Soon!
Chisa J. Putman
Chisa J. Putman is a native of Cowpens, SC, but has called Rock Hill home for the past 16 years. She is married and the mother of three (Dmitri, 12; Addilyn, 4; Hunter Grace, 2). Chisa is a 2018 MPA graduate of Clemson University, a 2008 graduate of the Charleston School of Law, a 2003 graduate of Winthrop University, where she earned her BA in Political Science; and a 1999 graduate of Gaffney Sr. High School. Chisa began her legal career as the Owner/ Manager of Chisa J. Putman Attorney at Law, LLC, in which she primarily practiced Family Law and Criminal Law. Upon exiting private practice, Chisa worked for SC Legal Services where she assisted indigent clients in the areas of Family, Consumer, and Housing law. Following her civil practice with SC Legal, Chisa was employed as an Assistant City Solicitor with the City of Rock Hill. Chisa enjoys being in the classroom just as much as she does the courtroom. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at Winthrop University and former Adjunct Instructor with York Technical College. Chisa’s most recent accomplishment was being confirmed to serve as a York County Magistrate Judge. She was sworn to the bench on March 8, 2017 and appointed as Chief Magistrate Judge in July 2019.
Elaine Whitton Davis
Born and raised in Rock Hill, spent over 25 years in Information Technology and Management-Celanese,
Hoechst Celanese, Celanese Acetate. Positions included IT Audit Manager, Project
Manager for global projects (SAP/ERP and Enterprise Solutions, Logistics, Manufacturing
Integration, Data Management, Business Support solutions), and Director of Global
Business Systems and Systems Support. Currently enjoying Real Estate listings and
sales at Allen Tate.
Gale N. DiGiorgio
Gale has been connected to Winthrop since her husband, Anthony, became President of Winthrop in 1989 for 24 years. Before coming to Winthrop, she spent her career in student services in higher education and lastly as Dean of Students at Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College). After living in Arizona for the past four years, she returned to live in Rock Hill. She enjoys reading, walking, traveling, and community service.
Jennifer McAdams
Bio Coming Soon!
Jeremy Winkler
Jeremy is a native of Walhalla, SC, and graduated from Winthrop in 2005 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and History. After graduating from Winthrop, Jeremy earned his Master of Applied Politics from the University of Akron. He worked in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill for 4 years, then for the US Department of Homeland Security for 4 years, before returning to Rock Hill in 2014. Jeremy currently serves the City of Rock Hill as Director of Government Affairs where he is responsible for local, State and Federal government relations. He and his wife, Sarah, have a 2-year-old daughter. They all enjoy spending time outdoors, visiting National Parks, and reading.
Jermaine Evans
Bio Coming Soon!
Lori Robishaw
Lori is the Executive Director of the Arts Council of York County. Prior to coming to Rock Hill, she was the executive director of La Grua Center in Stonington, CT, and of the Ashtabula Arts Center in her Ohio hometown. Her career has also encompassed working in a senior staff communications position at Ohio State after heading the communications office for Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading organization for advancing the arts and arts education in Washington, DC. She is a founder of three nonprofit theatre companies and has managed a producer’s office on Broadway and worked for two film production companies and as a script analyst in Hollywood. Lori earned a BA in theatre from Ohio State and an MFA in theatre management from the Yale School of Drama. She holds a private pilot’s license and considers herself a rabid Ohio State football fan.
