Q: What is your favorite part of being a college president? A: I love all of the different people that I get to meet. I love meeting students and hearing their stories of why they came here and their experiences here. I also love meeting community members, other college presidents and elected officials. I get to meet a lot of great people.
On July 15, Serna met with Board of Trustees Chair Glenn McCall and Vice Chair Kathy Hudson Bigham ‘73.
Q: What is the Winthrop story to tell? A: Our story is that you’re going to come to a campus that cares about your success. We want to see you be successful and leave here in a better place than when you came in. I also think that the Winthrop story has to be a part of the Rock Hill story and capitalize on the opportuni- ties around us.
Q: What are your immediate and long-term plans? A: It’s time to take a hard look at the university’s strategic plan, the Winthrop Plan, and come up with a new strategic plan that is a vision for this institution for the next five years that will be something we can all be engaged in. I’m excited about that. I’m a data-driven guy and am action oriented, so once I feel like I have a good handle on data I plan to be action focused. I want to meet with fellow higher education leaders. I just met with new USC President Michael Amiridis and we talked about possible opportunities and partnerships on academic programming. Having those conversations with other institutions, like Clemson, York Tech and MUSC, will help us add to our academic programming.
Bob Thompson, a longtime Winthrop supporter and former trustee, visited with Serna on July 12.
Q: What campus changes impressed you the most since your time as a student? A: The addition of Vivian Moore Carroll Hall is so impressive with the trading room floor. Hardin Garden is so nice as well. I enjoy walking our dog, Cooper, through Hardin each evening. Also, during my time as a student I didn’t visit the President’s House so now it’s so awesome to live there surrounded by all of Winthrop’s history.
Serna with wife Lauren and daughters Anna Kate (right) and Caroline (left)
Q: Are you a sports fan? A: Lauren, my wife, and I love basketball so we plan to be at the basketball games. Lauren was a junior college volleyball player so we of course will attend volleyball games. That’s just another wonderful part of the job – attending the differ- ent teams’ games is a great way to meet people.
Q: What are you excited about in your first year? A: I didn’t get to attend my own graduation in 2002 because I had already started my gradu- ate work at Clemson, so presiding over my first
Commencement ceremony in December will be really special. I am also excited to celebrate my 20th Winthrop class reunion at Homecoming and Reunion Weekend this November!
Q: Any final thoughts? A: My family and I are just very excited to be here. This is my dream job. I love this university and want to see it continue to thrive. I look for- ward to the work ahead.
Learn more about Serna and his family.
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