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University College

Leigh Poole, Interim Dean

Founded in 2003, University College brings together programs focused on increasing student achievement and engagement across the university. The College coordinates and guides high impact practices and student success initiatives that integrate both academic affairs and student affairs across disciplines to ensure that all Winthrop students have a common academic foundation as they commence their course of major study.

University College is home of the General Education Program, Winthrop’s distinctive foundational academic experience. Winthrop’s General Education Core--ACAD 101: Principles of the Learning Academy; WRIT 101: Introduction to Academic Discourse; HMXP 102: The Human Experience: Who Am I; and CRTW 201: Critical Reading, Thinking, and Writing--captures the dynamic quality of Winthrop’s academic environment that provides students with a framework for learning and responsible decision making that they will use throughout their lives.

Also located in University College are the Academic Success Center, Common Book Program, Honors Program, International Center, the Leadership Studies minor, Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program, McNair Scholars Program, Offi ce of the First-Year Experience, Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, Office of Undergraduate Research, Study Abroad, TRiO Achievers Program, Office of Tutoring and Learning Support, and the University College Academic Advising Office.


Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center at Winthrop University supports the academic pursuits and life-long learning of undergraduate students as they persist to graduation and beyond. The Academic Success Center serves students through a variety of personalized and structured experiences that help students succeed academically. Such resources are offered through one of four units that include:

  • First-Year Experience Office

  • Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program

  • Tutoring & Learning Support Office

  • University College (UC) Advising Office

For more information, contact:
Academic Success Center
106 Dinkins Hall (Main Office)
803/323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu
www.winthrop.edu/success


First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience Office, within the Academic Success Center offers, programs and academic courses that cultivate engaged learning, enhance academic achievement, and build connections with faculty, peers, and the university community. One of the signature experiences of your first-year at Winthrop is taking ACAD 101 or ACAD 300 which serves as an introduction to the academy. Both courses are taught by instructors from all academic colleges/student services in support of student success. New students are assigned a peer mentor. Peer mentors are high achieving student leaders who work in partnership with ACAD instructors to assist in the delivery of course content as they provide the student perspective and foster lasting relationships with first-year/transfer students to support their transition. Ongoing community building includes First Night Winthrop, an annual Fall Festival, Community Service projects, and other social activities.

For more information, contact:
First-Year Experience Office
233 Dinkins Hall (Main Office)
803-323-3908
https://www.winthrop.edu/fye/

LEAP
The Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program is a featured part of the First-Year Experience designed to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to college. The program provides academic guidance and support to a select group of first-year students at Winthrop University. LEAP program eligibility is determined by the Office of Admissions. The core components of LEAP include:

  • Individualized academic advising support

  • Early Launch programming prior to the fall semester

  • Options for LEAP-specific course credit

  • Structured study halls with faculty and peer tutoring available

  • Interim grade action planning

    For more information, contact:
    The Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program
    Office of the First-Year Experience
    202 Bancroft Hall (satellite FYE office)
    803-323-3383
    https://www.winthrop.edu/leap/

Tutoring & Learning Support Office
The Tutoring and Learning Support Office, within the Academic Success Center, provides peer tutoring services and learning support through workshops and consultations.

Tutoring.
Peer tutors are CRLA certified to support and help with a variety of general education courses. Tutoring is targeted for content mastery and skill development. The peer tutors are selected based on their competence in the subject areas, faculty endorsements, and effective interpersonal skills.

Workshops.
The Focus Workshop Series are sessions that facilitated for classes, residence halls, organizations, or other events. Workshop topics include course-specific support, study strategies, time management, test preparation, textbook reading and note taking, procrastination prevention, and best practices for successful students. The goal of every workshop is to help students learn how to study smarter, not just harder.

The ASC provides services to all undergraduate students free of charge. The Center also collaborates with other campus offices to promote the success of Winthrop students.

For more information, contact:
Tutoring & Learning Support Office
106 Dinkins Hall
803-323-3929
success@winthrop.edu
www.winthrop.edu/success


University College (UC) Advising Office
The UC Advising Office, within the Academic Success Center, provides student-centered advising tailored to supporting first-year and transfer exploratory students who have not decided on a major. Exploratory students have selected the undeclared majors and receive individualized advising that allows them to fully embrace the liberal arts and science experience offered by Winthrop. After successfully earning 45 credit hours, students will transition to major advising offered by their Faculty Advisor assigned within their new Academic College. Supplemental advising support and resources are provided by the Student Services Office for each college.

The UC Academic Advising Office also provides transitional support and programming for transfer students in their first semester at Winthrop. After the first semester, Transfer students should seek support and resources from Student Services office within their academic colleges.

For more information, contact:
UC Advising Office
108 Dinkins Hall
ucadvising@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/ucadvising/

The Common Book Program
Winthrop University’s Common Book Program is designed to integrate students into the university environment and provide a common academic experience. Incoming freshmen receive information about the book at orientation and read the book during the summer. Reading the selected book is a shared experience that connects freshmen with other members of Winthrop University--a learning-centered community.

The Common Book for 2023-24 is The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya. Previous Common Books include The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County by Kristen Green, Spare Parts by Joshua Davis, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls , Where Am I Eating? by Kelsey Timmerman, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman, Make the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland, Growing Up by Russell Baker, Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village by Sarah Erdman, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind, and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.


Programs for Superior Students--Honors Program
Honors Mission Statement. Winthrop University’s Honors Program is designed to enrich the college experience for highly talented and motivated students. The Honors Program provides qualified students the opportunity, through interactions with a vibrant scholarly community of talented faculty and peers, to build specific skills and knowledge that will allow them to succeed in graduate school, professional school, and post-educational employment. More particularly, the program offers students opportunities to engage in directed scholarly research and creative endeavors with the aim of producing original research for public presentation, publication, and/or application.

Distinguishing Features
The Winthrop Honors Program has evolved into one of the university’s most exciting offerings. During the first semester of the freshman year, students are invited to take honors courses based on their high school grade point average. The program requires completion of at least 24 hours of honors courses and a service learning course/project. To receive honors credit for a course, the student must complete the course with minimum grade of B. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to enroll in honors courses.

Winthrop’s Honors Program courses include:

  • Symposia that bring together talented students and exceptional teachers in a small group setting.

  • Interdisciplinary Courses that integrate information from different areas of study.

  • Instructional alternatives such as team-teaching, guest lectures, or visits to sites or events associated with the subject of study.

  • Special Topics seminars that fulfill General Education requirements

  • Learning enrichment through multicultural and international studies.

  • Civic engagement and service learning in independent and cooperative settings.

  • Special privileges including extended library checkout during honors thesis work, honors advising, and honors residence hall accommodations.

Requirements for the Honors Program Degree:

  • General Education Component: HMXP 102H, CRTW 201H (6 credit hours).

  • Coursework Component: Completion of 12 credit hours of honors coursework with a minimum of six credit hours in the major and three credit hours outside the major.

  • Cultural Component: One honors symposium (one credit hour) or one honors special topics seminar (three credit hours) must be completed.

  • Independent Study Component: A senior culminating project must be completed in the major. The senior project requires students to take HONR 449H (one credit hour) the semester prior to the completion of the project, and to complete HONR 451H Senior Honors Project Symposium (1 credit hour) and HONR 450H or an in-major substitute (for three credit hours) the semester in which the project is completed.

  • Service Learning Component: A service learning class/project must be completed.

    In addition to the Honors Program Degree, Winthrop encourages honors students to participate in international study abroad opportunities by offering an Honors Program Degree with International Experience.


Requirements for the Honors Program Degree with International Experience:

  • Same Components as for the Honors Program Degree above.

  • International Experience: Completion of an extended experience outside the U. S. in a learning environment. A semester of study abroad in an exchange program, or other university program, is the best and most common way to meet this requirement. The equivalent of a semester abroad, comprised of several short international experiences of at least three weeks each, will also meet this requirement.


Honors Course Categories

  • Honors sections of regular courses are smaller, more selective versions of standard courses. For example, instead of a lecture class with standardized tests, honors sections may consist of 15 students graded on the basis of in-depth essays and contributions to class discussions.

  • Interdisciplinary courses are taught by two faculty from different disciplines. Food and Power: Politics, Public Policy and Hunger; The Arthurian Tradition; and The Films of Orson Welles are examples of recent special topics courses. Such courses make it possible to cover subjects of particular interest to current honors students.

  • Special topics seminars that fulfill General Education requirements. These courses will contribute to the fulfillment of requirements in the areas of Global Perspectives, Historical Perspectives, the Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, and the Natural Sciences. Recent courses include The Psychology of War, Texts You Won’t Find in the New Testament, Theory in the Flesh and The Culture of the Cold War.

  • Contracted honors courses allow honors students to earn honors credit in subjects for which no formal honors courses are available. Any course is eligible, provided the student contracts with the professor to do work of sufficient sophistication, either in place of, or in addition to, the regular requirements of the course. A written agreement must be
    drawn up within the first few days of the semester and approved by the Honors Director.

  • Honors symposia are one-credit hour special interest courses generated by faculty with expertise in a specific area. Recent Honors Symposia include: Breast Cancer, Women and Society; Nontraditional Conflict in the 21 st Century; and The Individual and Community: Sources of the Sacred in American Culture.

  • Independent study, in the form of research or creative work, is required for an Honors Program degree at Winthrop. Prior to the beginning of the semester in which the work is to be undertaken, a prospectus must be approved by the faculty project director, the appropriate department chair and dean, and the Honors Director. Student researchers are required to present their work at a public academic forum, such as a professional conference or Winthrop’s SOURCE conference.

Sample Timetables
Freshman: WRIT 101H (if needed), HMXP 102H, honors course in major
Sophomore: CRTW 201H, honors course, international experience*
Junior: honors course, honors symposium, service learning project, HONR 449H
Senior: honors thesis, HONR 451H

Freshman: HMXP 102H, honors course
Sophomore: CRTW 201H, honors course, international experience*
Junior: honors course, honors symposium, service learning project, HONR 449H
Senior: honors thesis, HONR 451H
*required only for students who desire an Honors Program Degree with International Experience.

To remain in good standing, Honors Program students should have completed at least 6 credit hours of honors coursework by the end of the freshman year, 12 credit hours by the end of the sophomore year, 20 hours by the end of the junior year, and 24 credit hours by the end of the senior year.

Degree with Recognition – Transfer Students
Transfer students to Winthrop can pursue an Honors Program Degree or a Degree with Recognition. Students who have participated in an honors program at an accredited four-year college or university are encouraged to continue in the Winthrop Honors Program. These students may receive honors credit for honors study completed at the other institution.

With the approval of the Honors Director, students who transfer to Winthrop as sophomores may receive up to six hours of honors credit. Students transferring as juniors may receive up to nine hours of honors credit, and senior transfer students may receive up to 12 hours of honors credit. A student who transfers to Winthrop with no previous honors hours and a minimum number of hours left to earn the degree may choose to pursue a Degree with Recognition. The Degree with Recognition Program is restricted to transfer students entering with and maintaining a 3.3 GPA, receiving transfer credit for at least 60 hours, and needing 75 hours or fewer at Winthrop. If more than 75 hours are taken at Winthrop, the student should choose to pursue an Honors Program Degree.

Requirements for a Degree with Recognition
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements described in the above paragraph, a student will attain a Degree with Recognition through satisfactory completion of at least 17 credit hours of honors courses while maintaining a 3.3 GPA based on his or her total course work. Honors courses must be completed with a B or better on total course work to be accepted as honors credit. The following requirements must be adhered to:

  • General Education Component: HMXP 102H, CRTW 201H (six credit hours).

  • Major Component: 6 credit hours of honors courses in the major.

  • Independent Study Component: A senior culminating project must be completed in the major. The senior project requires students to take HONR 449H (1 credit hour) the semester prior to the completion of the thesis, and to complete HONR 451H Senior Honors Project Symposium (1 credit hour) and HONR 450H or an in-major substitute (for 3 credit hours) the semester in which the project is completed.

  • Service Learning Component: A service learning class/project must be completed.

    For more information, contact:
    Michael Lipscomb, PhD.
    Honors Program Director
    The Honors Center at the Courtyard
    803/323-2320 or honorsprogram@winthrop.edu

International Center National Student Exchange, and Study Abroad
The International Center at Winthrop University provides leadership for the internationalization of the Winthrop community. The Center has four primary functions including international student and faculty services, global engagement, National Student Exchange, and study abroad.

• International Student and Faculty Services: The International Center provides support services including offering a comprehensive orientation for all new international students, offering immigration assistance, and assisting international students and scholars with maintaining the regulations set forth by the Department of Homeland Security. The International Center also serves as the primary resource for all international students, guests, and scholars.

• Global Engagement: The International Center also coordinates and leads international and global engagement events for the University including, but not limited to, International Education Week, Study Abroad programing the International Tea, Casual Fridays, Global Friends, and various cultural events during the fall and spring
semesters.

• National Student Exchange (NSE): Through participation in the NSE program, Winthrop students have the opportunity to temporarily study at another college or university for a semester or up to one year while also paying Winthrop’s tuition. Room and board costs vary depending on the university chosen. Exchanges are possible with more than 180 colleges and universities throughout the Unites States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Winthrop students have studied in Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many more locations.

• Study Abroad: The International Center assists students in identifying, applying for, and preparing to study abroad. Winthrop students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or academic year in a number of countries including, but not limited to, Australia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Panama, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan. Opportunities for short-term study abroad are also coordinated through the International Center via Winthrop faculty-led programs and summer opportunities.
To learn more please visit the International Center in 218 Dinkins Hall or online at www.winthrop.edu/international.

For more information, contact:
Leigh Poole, PhD.
Director, International Center
803/323-2133
international@winthrop.edu


Leadership Studies Minor
Winthrop University’s Leadership Studies Program enriches the college experience by developing and enhancing leadership skills for highly talented and motivated students. This program creates a community of learners who pursue leadership opportunities while acquiring, focusing, and using new leadership skills. Students will gain enhanced knowledge and understanding of specific leadership theories, concepts, and models, preparing them for leadership responsibilities in their careers, in their community, and in the world. Leadership Studies, with its courses and attendant opportunities, will broaden the undergraduate educational experience for motivated and socially responsible students. For a complete list of minors with their specific requirements, visit the Programs page, type Minor in the Search Program field, and sort by degree designation.

For more information, contact:

LeAnn Lowrey
Assistant Director, International Center
803/323-2133 or lowreyl@winthrop.edu
www.winthrop.edu/Leadership/


McNair Scholars Program
The McNair Scholars Program is Winthrop’s prestigious Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, housed in University College. Established in 2009, the program is funded through a nationally competitive and renewable U.S. Department of Education TRiO grant. Each year, $261,888 in federal funds and over $70,000 in institutional cash and in-kind matches support 30 outstanding undergraduates who complete research and prepare for doctoral study. Program participation begins with the Winthrop McNair summer research internship and includes mentoring by faculty who hold PhDs. Eligible students are individuals from low-income families who are first generation college students and/or who come from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in graduate education. McNair participants come from Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Visual & Performing Arts as well as from some other S.C. universities. For more information, visit http://www.winthrop.edu/mcnair/

Office of Nationally Competitive Awards
The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) allows Winthrop University to be more intentional and proactive about selecting the best and brightest of our student body to apply for nationally and internationally competitive awards, scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad. There are many award opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study within both disciplinary and interdisciplinary categories. ONCA gathers and disseminates information about awards and their deadlines to all members of the campus community, as well as works with students to prepare the best portfolios possible. This office also serves as a resource for mock interviews for students, awards for faculty, and as a place to list and celebrate the competitive awards and national recognition that our students and faculty receive.

For more information, contact:
Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA)
803/ 323-3906
onca@winthrop.edu
www.winthrop.edu/onca


Office of Undergraduate Research
The Council on Undergraduate Research defines undergraduate research as an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original, intellectual, or creative contribution to the discipline. It is applicable to all disciplines, may be specific to a discipline, and requires a high standard identified by each discipline.

Support for the initiative is implemented through the Undergraduate Research Office, which helps students to identify research opportunities on and off campus. In addition, the office coordinates activities to increase opportunities for students to present their work and recognize and honor the students who engage in undergraduate research and the faculty who mentor those students. The office also provides funding for student travel to present their work at professional and undergraduate research focused conferences.

Undergraduate research provides valuable learning experiences to students and is one of the high-impact educational practices that increase the rates of student retention and engagement. Participating in undergraduate research can help students prepare for professional and graduate programs, and enhance professional and academic credentials to support applications for scholarships, awards, career employment, and entry into graduate and professional schools. While engaging in undergraduate research experiences students can develop one-on-one mentoring relationships with faculty members, clarify academic and career interests and goals, acquire additional knowledge in their academic fields that transcends classroom study, and enhance critical skills in communication, independent thinking, creativity, and problem solving. Moreover, they will contribute to the creation of new knowledge on the cutting edge of their academic discipline and apply that knowledge to real world problems.

Student researchers often disseminate their work at professional meetings or submit the scholarship for publication in academic journals. These activities allow students the chance to make connections with and receive feedback from a broader audience than they may encounter on campus. These experiences have value as students leave the university and enter today’s workforce, where presentation, communication, and relationship skills are vital for their success.

For more information, contact:
Nicholas Grossoehme, PhD.
Director of Undergraduate Research
Office of Undergraduate Research
222B Dinkins Hall
803/323-3397


TRiO Achievers Program
The TRiO Achievers Program at Winthrop University, first funded in 2005, is one of over 1000 Student Support Services programs funded by the US Department of Education. TRiO is an academic support program designed to increase the academic performance, retention rates, and graduation rates of program participants. The TRiO program promotes academic excellence and provides participants the necessary tools to get the most of their undergraduate education, to graduate, and to seek employment and/or attend graduate school after completion of their bachelor degree.

Winthrop’s Achievers Program services include:

  • Academic Counseling: Academic Counselors meet individually with students to discuss their semester goals, individual learning styles, grades, academic progress, time management, etc.

  • Academic Tutoring: Upper-class students are hired and trained by TRiO staff to assist student participants with academic course work including math, chemistry, biology, history, education, economics, etc.

  • Financial Literacy and Career Readiness: Both services are provided via individual appointments and workshops throughout the academic year.

  • Cultural Events: Our staff provides free travel to and from approximately 5-7 cultural events each semester. Cultural events include performances at Blumenthal Arts Center, the Charlotte Symphony, and social gatherings where students can connect with one another.

  • College Success Workshops: To encourage well-rounded student development, TRiO staff present interactive workshops on topics such as money management, time management, professional etiquette, resume building and preparing for graduate school.

  • TRiO Computer Lab: The TRiO computer lab offers FREE printing for all TRiO participants.

Scholarship Search Assistance: Academic Counselors help students search for scholarship assistance to best provide for college financially.


Students who demonstrate a need for academic support, are citizens or permanent residents of the US, are enrolled or accepted for the next academic year, and meet one or more of the following requirements are eligible for the program:
--are a first-generation college student--a student whose parents or guardians did not receive a baccalaureate degree;
--meet specific federal income guidelines;
--have a documented disability as defined by the ADA.

Program applications can be found at www.winthrop.edu/triosss or in the TRiO offices.

For more information, contact:
Rose Gray
TRiO Program Director
803/323-4797 or 4794