Winthrop University President Edward Serna

10/27/2026

Getting an early start on meaningful work: the date is set for 's Out of the Darkness campus walk, which creates awareness around mental health and su***de prevention. On Friday, April 16, 2027, campus and community members will gather at the Amphitheatre to hear about mental health/su***de prevention resources and stories from those who have lost loved ones to su***de in a touching beading ceremony before embarking on a walk around campus.

You can learn more about this event (including joining the Winthrop team) here: afsp.org/winthrop.

10/26/2026

We celebrated our incredible transfer students last week in honor of National Transfer Week. Staff put together a great line-up of events, all with the goal of thanking these students for choosing to make part of their journey. Special shoutout to Janet Wojcik, exercise science program director and professor, and Jessica Gladden, director of Student Services and the Center for Advising & Transfer Success, for being "Transfer Champions."

Fun fact: I was a Winthrop transfer student in 2002!

10/19/2026

Lauren and I decided to be early birds and get our votes in! 🗳️

Early voting in South Carolina began today and lasts through Saturday, Oct. 31. You can check scvotes.org for your polling location and to view a sample ballot.

10/18/2026

NAMIWalks is the nation’s largest mental health awareness and peer-to-peer fundraising event. We were proud to host the walk this morning at the Lake. Special shoutout to the Hill Sigmas Foundation, which raised the most funds for the walk. NAMI Piedmont Tri-County

10/14/2026

I'm building University’s team for the NAMIWalks, and I hope you'll join me!

This year's event is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Winthrop Lake. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. while opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. Come walk and show your support for this important cause in the amazing work that NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Piedmont TriCounty does in our community!

If you are interested in participating, you can click on "Join our Team" at the link below and register to show up on our official roster. When you register, you may also consider setting a personal fundraising goal, and/or making a donation to NAMIWalks if you wish, but this is not a requirement to join our team and show your support (just set your donation goal as $0). https://www.namiwalks.org/teams/86954

10/13/2026

Looking back this Tuesday on some of the exciting events from this month...

-of-York-County hosted its 11th annual Savor the Flavors event over the weekend. While it's of course a great time, it's also a chance for the community to come together and support an incredible mission: the York County Disabilities Foundation, which helps support programs and services for children and adults with needs throughout our county. Still trying to decide what my favorite bite/sip of the night was...

I appreciate the hard work our Human Resources division puts toward the Health & Wellness Vendor Fair for faculty and staff every spring and fall semester. An easy way for me to get a flu shot! And spin a wheel for some swag...

At the Family Day welcome, I shared positive news with my fellow Eagle parents. I know their children appreciated their parents and loved ones being there to support them that day. Families, your presence is also reassuring to us, as we are all partners in the success of your student.

I didn't grab a picture from this, but Lauren and I stopped by to hear from Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, who visited campus last week in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month to talk about the intersection of food, culture, tradition, and identity. Kudos to Latines Unidos, Winthrop Eats, and Winthrop's chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America!

10/01/2026

Amazing tour today of The Lantern, a boutique hotel opening in downtown Rock Hill next summer. While the hotel will also host a restaurant and speakeasy, the best part is: The Lantern plans to hire those with intellectual and physical disabilities, providing meaningful career pathways. We look forward to seeing the great things to come between The Lantern and our WinthropLife program.

09/28/2026

Lauren and I were honored to host the Sponsor Circle Celebration for the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra at the President’s House. We also enjoyed the performance in Byrnes Auditorium. Special shoutout to Provost Sebastian van Delden for his guest narration!

09/21/2026

, meet the students who will lead you through the 2026-27 year. Elected and appointed members of our Student Government Association were officially inducted into the organization at a special ceremony at the Little Chapel, where our institution's history began more than 140 years ago.

You're in good hands.

[📸: Elizabeth Moore]

09/15/2026

We will use this amazing gift from the city to fill a critical gap in economic development: establishing the state’s first Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering degree. We’re proud to continue our contributions to the economic development initiatives in Rock Hill and the surrounding areas. We appreciate all of the connections and partnerships that we’ve made along the way with our local and regional manufacturing companies.

Thanks to a generous donation from the City of Rock Hill, SC, we're launching South Carolina's *first* Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering in fall 2027. We look forward to being a catalyst for manufacturing growth in the region! ➡️
https://bit.ly/3T5KSFO

S/O York Technical College and Rock Hill Economic Development