NEW INITIATIVES ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS


During his 2020 virtual State of the University Address, Interim President George Hynd outlined academic, bud- get and campus beauty initiatives that he deemed vital for the continued long-term health and success of the university.


“These initiatives are imperative to put into place to en- sure that Winthrop remains a top choice for our students


Currently in various phases of implementation, these initiatives include: Academic Master Plan


In 2016, Winthrop launched the Winthrop Plan, the uni- versity’s blueprint for growth. Goals 1 and 2 of the plan situate the university’s academic program mix as vital to the institution’s success. Between 2016 and 2020, Win- throp launched three new undergraduate programs and four fully online graduate programs.


According to Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Adrienne McCormick, who is lead- ing the Academic Master Plan initiative, Winthrop now stands ready to launch a new Academic Master Plan that takes the university into the next decade.


“The new Academic Master Plan provides a framework that ensures existing programs maintain their high quality impacts on student success and new programs align to changes in the global economy and service to the local community,” said McCormick. “To achieve these goals, we need programs that produce graduates who are ready for multiple career paths, demonstrate digi- tal and cultural literacy and are prepared for engaged citizenship.”


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McCormick added that focusing on Winthrop’s long-term success requires the university to routinely evaluate the health of its program portfolio, respond to student and market demand for new programs, and provide clear program pathways for current and transfer students to ensure timely degree completion.


The plan is scheduled to be completed this spring.


and their families,” said Hynd. “By focusing on offering the best academic programs we can while creating an inviting and functional campus environment and infra- structure, we set Winthrop up for continued success for decades to come.”


SPRING 2021 Campus Master Plan


The creation of a Campus Master Plan also was iden- tified as a need by Hynd. The plan will look at how the campus functions and will engage campus constitu- ents in an interactive process to address a wide array of planning issues in the development of a prioritized, phased master facility plan for Winthrop.


The plan will analyze student housing needs and aca- demic and academic support space needs.


“It is a wide aperture endeavor,” Hynd told Board of Trustees members at their Feb. 19 meeting.


The Campus Master Plan committee, co-chaired by Chris Johnson ’99, sustainability coordinator, and Kimberly Faust, vice president and chief of staff, will work with a consulting team to review the Winthrop Plan and the Academic Master Plan in order to fold in the Campus Master Plan’s scope of work.


The Campus Master Plan should be completed and published by the fall.


Campus Beautification


The final initiative is one that focuses on the beautiful campus because its appearance reflects how Winthrop is presented to prospective and current students, alum- ni, employees and community members.


This initiative, led by College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Jeff Bellantoni, will offer the opportunity for faculty, staff and students to participate in respecting the institution’s history by contributing energy, vision and engagement to the campus’ upkeep.


“We will make recommendations on areas that can be addressed in the short term such as general clean up,


NEW INITIATIVES ENSURE LONG-TERM SUCCESS


landscaping, wayfinding and lighting, fencing, foun- tains, public art and outdoor objects such as bike racks, railings, etc., and outdoor areas for gathering. More extensive, complex projects will be contracted out or completed by facilities management. Funding will come from the campus beautification fund, which is 100 per- cent donor supported,” said Bellantoni.


Efforts have already begun such as the diversity and in- clusion garden/sitting area at Rutledge Building created as an Eagle Scout project by Emily Pilarcyzk; the tree planting and other beautification efforts as part of the campus’ Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service; and two campus cleanups.


Make a secure gift to the Campus Beautification Fund or get more information by calling 800/801-1083.


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