Leadership Statement
President of Winthrop University
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THE UNIVERSITY
Winthrop University is a highly ranked public, comprehensive university that is committed to be
among the very best institutions of its kind in the nation.
Founded in 1886, Winthrop
University in Rock Hill, South
Carolina, offers its more than
5,000 undergraduate students
and 1,000-plus graduate students
an educational experience that
blends liberal arts, professional
programs, global awareness, and
civic engagement. In its colleges
of Business Administration, Arts
and Sciences, Education, and
Visual and Performing Arts,
Winthrop embraces only those
programs and activities that can
be delivered at an exemplary
level. Winthrop is well known for
its inclusive and supportive
campus environment.
Building on its 19th century origins as a distinctive women’s college, the Winthrop University of
the 21st century is achieving national stature as a competitive and distinctive, co-educational,
public, residential comprehensive, values-oriented institution. The values of service, excellence,
diversity, community, and leadership provide the foundation for Winthrop’s continuing
development and shape Winthrop’s continuing success.
Numerous national accolades reflect the sustained high quality and value of the “Winthrop
Experience,” including the most recent US News & World Report's ranking of Winthrop as one
of the top-10 public comprehensive universities in the South. Winthrop is an active member of
the Rock Hill community and recognized as a key component of the region’s economic growth.
Approximately 20 minutes from Charlotte, Winthrop's beautiful campus encompasses a rich
architectural blend of neo-Georgian buildings and is included in the National Register of Historic
Places. Within these buildings are top-notch academic facilities, enhanced with SMART
technology. The attractive recreational and research complex area that surrounds Winthrop
Lake is home to Winthrop’s 16 Division I men’s and women’s sports.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
From 1989 to 2013, Winthrop was led by President Anthony J. DiGiorgio. During his
administration, the University made great strides, including: the college’s conversion to
Winthrop University; two successful capital campaigns, raising more than $70 million; and
completion of a series of impressive capital projects valued at more than $150 million.
At the conclusion of DiGiorgio's tenure, the Winthrop
Board conducted a nationwide search to recruit his
successor. Jamie Comstock Williamson who
previously had been the Provost at Butler University in
Indianapolis, Indiana, was selected as the new
President. Dr. Williamson's Presidency ended after
one year, ending in the summer of 2014. Several local
and higher education publication news reports
chronicling the events surrounding her departure can
be found at the following:
Winthrop Board Fires President Jamie Comstock
Williamson, The Charlotte Observer, 06/15/14
Nearly 3 Months After Winthrop
President’s Firing, Mediation Still Pending, The Herald
Spousal Pay Backlash, Inside Higher Ed, 06/16/14
Winthrop President Ordered ‘Purge’ of Email About
Hiring Husband, The State, 07/05/14
The Winthrop Board of Trustees named Debra C. Boyd, the University's widely regarded
Provost, to be the institution's Acting President. Dr. Boyd has been on the faculty at Winthrop
for approximately 30 years. Dr. Boyd has declared that she is not a candidate for the
permanent President role, preferring to return to her role as Provost.
In the fall of 2014, the Board retained the services of R. William Funk & Associates to assist in
the recruitment of the school's 11th
President.
The Funk firm is
recognized as one of the nation's
leading search firms specializing in
the
recruitment
of
university
Presidents. The firm has conducted
approximately 400 President and
Chancellor searches in the past 30+
years, including those for the sitting
Presidents/Chancellors at Clemson
University,
University
of
North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of
South Carolina, Cornell University,
Purdue
University,
Ohio
State
University, and countless other major
colleges and universities.
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The Board also appointed an eight-member
Search Committee which will be led by Board
Chair Kathy Bigham and Co-Chaired by
Faculty Representative Board member John
Bird. Other Board members serving on the
Search Committee include: Karl Folkens, Tim
Hopkins, Glenn McCall, Janet Smalley, Sue
Smith-Rex, and Scott Talley.
The search was formally launched on October
6 and 7 with a series of meetings on the
campus involving the search firm and the
various University constituents and community
and business leaders.
There is great
enthusiasm regarding the search and all
constituents are looking forward to a
successful process and to welcoming the next
President.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the
President is the chief executive officer of the
University and is responsible for ensuring that
Winthrop fulfills its mission successfully and
efficiently.
The trajectory of Winthrop University has been very positive over several decades, but the new
President will have several challenges to address upon taking office.
Increase Enrollment - Over the past 10 years, Winthrop's enrollment has decreased by
approximately 300 students. New leadership and new initiatives in the Enrollment
Management function promise better results in student recruitment in the future.
The next President will need to oversee and monitor these efforts to ensure that more
students are added to the rolls.
Fund- and Friend-raising - Like most higher education institutions, the new
realities of decreasing state and federal funding have put a greater emphasis on
Winthrop's ability to raise money from all possible sources. Marketing and promoting
the institution regionally and nationally will be important.
Elevate Morale - There is a great deal of institutional pride that pervades the
Winthrop campus, but events of the past year have taken their toll. The new President
will need to address the morale issue and find solutions to the issues of faculty and staff
salary levels and general employee morale.
Strategic Planning - The next President must bring to Winthrop the ability to lead a
meaningful strategic planning process. The institution needs to assess priorities and
plan accordingly. The university community needs a blueprint for the future of Winthrop.
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Continue to Strengthen Town/Gown and State Relationships - Winthrop is important
to the city of Rock Hill and to the surrounding region. The President needs to be a
visible face in the affairs of the local community, as well as being known in Columbia by
legislators and government officials.
Further Enhance Student Life - While the University offers a multitude of opportunities
for students to gain meaningful leadership and team experiences, there is a need to
further cultivate extra-curricular activities to alleviate the notion that Winthrop is a
"suitcase campus" where students leave the campus on weekends.
The next President will enjoy many advantages in addressing these and other issues that may
arise. The University is universally loved by the faculty, staff, students, and Rock Hill residents.
There is a reservoir of good will that the
President can call upon as the leader of
the University. The Rock Hill community
provides a very high quality of life, and
Winthrop is a key part of its "Knowledge
Park" initiative within the town’s center.
The next President at Winthrop can
make a substantial difference to the
University and its history...she/he has
the opportunity to take the University
from good to great!
PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS
The next President of Winthrop University will honor the academic enterprise, have an
appreciation of and affinity with the traditions and milieu of the campus and the region, and
understand the demands of leading a public university. The Board is seeking a visionary leader
with strategic perspective, a commitment to preparing students for productive and fulfilling lives,
exemplary communication and interpersonal skills, and a collegial and open leadership style.
The next President will be a consummate fund- and friend-raiser for the University.
Other attributes that the Board and constituents would like to see in candidates are the
following:
Student-centered...the next President should always operate on the basis of what is in the
best interest of the University and its students and people....
Understands and appreciates the South and its culture…respects the traditions of
Winthrop…
Transparency... integrity....trustworthy....
A finely honed political sense (though not a partisan)...a person who understands state and
local politics....
A good listener...polite to other people...comfortable with a wide range of individuals and
constituents....
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Visible on campus and in the community...approachable...not pretentious....
Values diversity and multicultural competency....
Brings people together...eliminates silos on campus....
Can make tough decisions...someone who sees the 'big picture'...understands the
major issues facing higher education....
Great leader...great manager....
Winthrop is looking for a strong leader whose personal values match those of the University and
who is capable of making a significant positive difference in the University.
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS
While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new President is selected,
interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials to our consultant at the address
below by January 1, 2015.
Winthrop President Search
100 Highland Park Village, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75205
Email: krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com
Fax: 214/295-3312
~Winthrop University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.~
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