Winthrop prepares to welcome new Dean of College of Arts and Sciences.
Winthrop has officially named Adrienne McCormick as the new Dean of College of Arts and Sciences for the 2018-2019 school year. As the students and faculty prepare to welcome McCormick to her new position, “The Johnsonian” took the time to get to know the new dean a little better.
What is your official title?
I am currently the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a professor of English at SUNY Oswego. I will start as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Winthrop on July 2.
What made you decide to apply for the position of dean?
I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with faculty and program initiatives in my current deanship. I applied for the position at Winthrop because it will allow me to help with new kinds of program development, including growing some new online graduate programs. I was also drawn to the opportunity of returning to the Rock Hill area, since I did my undergraduate work at Queens University of Charlotte.
What do you look forward to most about the position?
I really look forward to getting to know the faculty and individual departments, and how they’d like to grow and improve upon their programs to create new, challenging and engaged learning opportunities for Winthrop students.
What do you hope to gain from this new position?
Every new experience presents an opportunity to grow. I look forward to partnering with other new and long-standing Deans and Provost Boyd to think about how we can collectively tell Winthrop’s story so that more students will learn about what makes an education at Winthrop so valuable and choose to enroll in our programs! What will I gain personally? An opportunity to work with a wonderful team of collaborative colleagues, and to join a very collegial community.
Do you have any new ideas that you plan to implement?
My plan is to come in and listen to what others want to implement. I see myself as a servant leader, so my definition of success is creating the right conditions for the faculty I represent to identify and realize their own goals.
When do you officially begin your role as the dean of College of Arts and Sciences?
July 2
Are there any changes that you foresee changing about the position?
Anytime someone starts a new position in academic administration, the first steps must involve listening and learning. What I saw during my interview showed me a warm, inviting, collegial atmosphere. I met impressive students, passionate and committed faculty, talented administrators and dedicated staff who work diligently to create rich learning experiences for students in the College of Arts and Sciences. That’s why I decided to join the team! But even the most successful institutions look for opportunities to improve, so I look forward to working in collaboration with the faculty and other administrators to identify what the College of Arts and Sciences wants to improve upon in order to advance the goals set forth in the Winthrop Plan.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I saw evidence of Winthrop’s commitment to academic rigor and engaged learning in abundance during my interview experience, so I can’t wait to arrive and help ensure continued success in these areas.
