Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 9:00 a.m.
Gold Room | DiGiorgio Campus Center
Winthrop University | Rock Hill, South Carolina
Board Members Present: Mr. Glenn McCall (Chair), Ms. Kathy Bigham (Vice Chair), Mr. John Brazell, Mr. Ed
Driggers, Mr. Joel Hamilton, Dr. Randy Imler, Mr. Rick Lee, Dr. David McDonald, Mr.
Tim Sease, Ms. Janet Smalley, Dr. Ashlye Wilkerson, Mr. Gary Williams
Board Members Absent: Mr. Robbie Sisco, Ms. Sandra Stroman, Mr. Isaiah Venning
Other Board Members Present:
Others Present: Dr. Edward A. Serna (President), C. Todd Hagins (Secretary to the Board and General
Counsel), Peter Judge (Interim Provost), Shelia Higgs Burkhalter (Vice President for
Student Affairs), Joseph Miller (Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing),
Kevin Hughes (Vice President for University Advancement), Chuck Rey (Director of Athletics),
Justin Oates (Interim Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs and Chief Financial
Officer), Lisa Cowart (Vice President for Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and
Wellness) and others of the Winthrop Community and general public.
FOIA Compliance Notice
Pursuant to state law, Winthrop University published a notice to the public on its
website providing the meeting notice on July 1, 2023, and posted the agenda affixed
outside the Office of the President and Board of Trustees in Tillman Hall on October
10, 2023. On the day of the meeting, the Secretary to the Board caused to be affixed
to the door of the meeting location the agenda for the Board and all associated committees.
Call to Order
A quorum being present Chairman McCall called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Upon the conclusion of the Invocation, Chairman McCall asked for any motions related
to the Consent Agenda. Mr. Less moved to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented, which
was seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote.
Chairman McCall made remarks thanking the admission’s staff and the faculty for all
they are doing in recruiting and retention.
Report from the Chairman
Chairman McCall made remarks noting the energy presented by the Winthrop Community
since the Board last met them in the prior academic year. He made additional remarks
thank the Admissions staff and faculty for all they are doing to recruit and retain
students.
Report from the President
President Serna discussed the committee meetings and strategic initiatives the Administration
is engaged in. He noted Winthrop continues to evolve and move forward. President Serna
spoke about the Mr. Simrill and his leadership with the strategic plan.
President Serna spoke about the upcoming Winthrop Economic Impact Study and its anticipated
release in January 2024. President Serna noted a core of the Administration’s plan
is focused on market-driven academic programs and curriculum efficiency. He further
notified the Board of the Administration’s intent to move forward with a new procurement
Request for Proposal focused on new marketing and branding effort.
In discussing enrollment markets, President Serna noted that Winthrop is focused on
legislative efforts to expand in-state tuition to students in North Carolina’s Charlotte
Metro area.
President Serna thanked the Board for its strategic investment in programs. He ended
his presentation by updating the Board on the Provost search, noting that Winthrop
has a strong pool of applicants. The goals is to hire a Provost who can start in January
2024.
Committee Reports
Committee on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management
Dr. McDonald reviewed the approved resolutions and discussed important issues facing
Winthrop such as student housing in the future and the Fraternity and Sorority Task
Force. He echoed Chairman McCall’s appreciation of the enrollment management team.
Committee on External Engagement and Athletics
Mr. Williams reported Winthrop is seeing an increase in giving through the advancement
team. Mr. Williams provided an update related to the Athletic Department’s engagement
with the community especially student athletes being involved in local schools and
hospitals. Mr. Williams noted the impact of esports in the area and updated the Board
on matters related to the golf course, and the U.S. Disc Golf Championship.
Committee on Strategic Planning and Facilities
Mr. Driggers updated the Board on the strategic plan process and noted it sought input
from multiple stakeholders to include not only faculty and staff, but also those in
the community. Mr. Driggers noted the ongoing construction throughout campus.
Committee on Finance
Mr. Sease thanked President Serna for his leadership. Mr. Sease also noted that Winthrop’s
Board was diverse and lead by a diverse leadership team that he believed was not as
well noted by the state, when such diversity is ordinarily lauded. Mr. Sease noted
Mr. Oates and President Serna are very transparent in the budget process. He ended
by encouraging Board members to review the Financial Audit Report.
Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Development and Community
Mr. Lee informed the Board of a Italian auto show coming to the Coliseum on November
16, 2024 as well as the Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council holding a meeting at Winthrop
on November 26th. Mr. Less stated that Winthrop would be announcing partnerships in
the near future for internships.
Ad Hoc Committee on Governance
Mr. Brazell provided an update to the Board on the Governance Committee to include
an update on the schedule for completing Agency Head Review for President Serna by
April 2024.
Liaison Reports
Faculty Conference Report
Dr. Glover, chair of the Faculty Conference, stated that throughout the strategic
planning process the Administration has ensured that the faculty is engaged. He also
noted the Administration ensures they are a part of the process and have input in
shared governance as shown in having faculty representation on the provost search
committee. Dr. Glover noted that he has been on campus for 10 years and is sensing
a spirit of optimism that he has not seen before. Dr. Glover reiterated that the faculty
supports President Serna’s and the Board’s plan for what Winthrop should be.
Saff Conference Report
Ms. Simmonds, chair of the Staff Conference, informed the Board that she was elected as the new chair of the Staff Conference, having been employed by Winthrop for the last 4 ½ years. Ms. Simmonds noted the Staff Conference meets 5 times per year now instead of monthly and are interested in staff development. Ms. Simmonds reported that staff morale has increased and attributes it to President Serna’s stable leadership and other changes he has adopted with staff input.
Council of Student Leaders Report
Ms. Ekindayo, president of the Council of Student Leaders introduced herself to the Board, noting that she is the first grad student to be elected president of the Council of Student Leaders. She provided an overview of the CSL leadership team and noted the students have a positive energy about Winthrop’s direction.
Executive Session: Dr. Wilkerson moved for the Board to enter into Executive Session pursuant to S.C.
Code Ann. §30-4-70(a) for the purposes of discussion of employment matters involving
certain present university employees and contractual items related to Winthrop University.
The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.
Chairman McCall invited President Serna and Secretary Hagins to remain. Chairman McCall
informed the others present that the Board would not take on any further business
at the conclusion of the session.
Dr. Wilkerson moved for the Board to exit Executive Session. The motion was seconded and approved without objection. The vote to exit Executive Session, being the only Motion or Vote taken during the session.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Board, Chairman McCall ordered the Board
to adjourn without objection.
The Committee adjourned at 12:04 p.m..
Minutes were formally adopted on April 25, 2024, as a true and accurate record of
the events of the Winthrop University Board of Trustees. Pursuant to Board By-Laws
and practice such approved minutes are certified by the Secretary of the Board who
is responsible for maintaining official copies of all Board-related business.
