Where is the summer going?
Is it just me or do these summer months seem to be flying? It’s been a busy last few weeks meeting with the Board of Trustees (lots of work was accomplished!), holding our Day of Dedications (what a great day that was!), successfully hosting three of our four Orientation sessions (last one is next month), starting a new fiscal year (YES to budgets loading!), and more. This month is significant to me because I’ve now been here for two years, and it still seems surreal! Please know that it’s an honor and privilege to lead my alma mater, and to work alongside each of you to make Winthrop the incredible place it is to learn, live and work.
Now on to some updates…
Winthrop Elevate Launch
Next month we will begin to officially advertise our Competency-based Education initiative entitled Winthrop Elevate. This new modality is aimed at adult learners with some or no college experience. It will provide a unique and flexible approach that allows students to advance through their coursework based on the ability to master a skill or competency at their own pace. I applaud this type of learning at Winthrop, and I am confident this offering will help us serve an untapped population of prospective students in our surrounding areas.
The first degree program to be offered through this innovative modality is the Bachelor of Professional Studies which includes four concentration options: community and health services, health informatics, organizational leadership, and organizational operations. Additional programs will follow. Applications will open on Sept. 1 for a January 2025 program launch. If you know of adults who could benefit from a fast, flexible and affordable degree program, please have them reach out to Hunter Huggins for more information.
Enrollment
As we quickly approach the start of the academic year, I know we are all interested in our enrollment outlook. While it is still too early to forecast final numbers, I can share some preliminary numbers with you. As of today, we are holding at 925 new freshmen, which is an increase of 6% over this point in time last year. Also, we are at 300 new transfer students, a 30% increase over this point in time last year. Our official enrollment numbers won’t be captured until October for reporting purposes, but these current numbers are very encouraging yet changing each day. Recruitment is a campus-wide effort, so I thank each of you for your role in helping us get these students to Winthrop.
Strategic Planning
Members of the cabinet and I will have a retreat on July 31 to prepare for the academic year. Among our top priorities during this retreat is to fine tune divisional objectives related to our strategic plan, Winthrop: United in Excellence. Additional information on these objectives, and the entire plan, will be shared during the fall semester, and please remember that we have a strategic plan informational town hall scheduled for Sept. 5 during common time. More to come on that.
Welcome Back and Convocation/Blue Line
Please save the date for our Welcome Back event on Monday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. in McBryde Hall. I’ll deliver some brief remarks, and then we’ll spend the rest of the time catching up with one another. On Monday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. in a location still being determined, we will hold Convocation to mark the start of our 139th academic year. Following Convocation, the Blue Line will process to the front lawn for our traditional picnic. More information will be coming about these events, but please mark them on your calendar.
As always, I appreciate all that you do for Winthrop. Please enjoy the rest of the summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon as things begin to ramp up for the fall semester!
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
