ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – In an important step of Winthrop University’s strategic planning process championed by President Edward A. Serna ’02, the campus community will meet representatives from Berkeley Research Group when the team initiates a weeklong visit to the historic campus April 24-28.
With the support of the Winthrop Board of Trustees, the Rock Hill institution has partnered with BRG on a strategic planning process that ultimately will help shape Winthrop into a place where all prospective students can see themselves belonging, thriving and being transformed for success today and beyond.
“Development of the next strategic initiatives for Winthrop is perhaps the most consequential undertaking of my time at Winthrop so far,” Serna said. “This process will allow us, as we consider Winthrop’s future, to take into account the thoughts, concerns and recommendations, analyses, and perspectives of as many people as possible, both on campus and off.”
Serna noted that to thrive in the competitive landscape of higher education, Winthrop must unite to come up with a plan that represents the best of stakeholders’ thinking and charts a clear path forward that sets Winthrop apart.
“We are in a unique position geographically as one of only two public institutions in the Charlotte area, and we are in one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina. Those attributes, plus being in a thriving city with visionary leadership, puts us in an enviable position as well,” he said.
Gary Simrill '91, special assistant to the president for community engagement, is leading the strategic planning steering committee and is excited about this week’s visit. “Members of various university boards, faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and community leaders are already providing feedback and ideas to BRG via one-to-one interviews, focus groups, and surveys,” he said. “Late next week, our BRG project lead, Faisal Amin, and others will lead the Board of Trustees in a planning session as part of their regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.”
BRG representatives also are conducting historical artifacts reviews, an environmental scan and comparative analysis and an organizational design review.
Simrill said the goal is for the university to have a new strategic plan by year’s end.
“Our strategic planning website outlines our progress, and the site will keep stakeholders informed as we build our roadmap, a series of goals and objectives, with clear outcomes intended for the years ahead.”
The site also has information on the process timeline, committee members, upcoming events and more.
For more information, please contact the Office of University Communications and Marketing at 803/323-2236.
