Winthrop University and Rock Hill Schools Add New Education Element to Partnership (09/01/26)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Representatives from both institutions announced the Education Dual Credit Pathway on Sept. 1 at Winthrop's Little Chapel.
• Students will complete a carefully sequenced series of education and general education courses across their high school junior and senior years, allowing them to begin building college credit and foundational knowledge for a future career in education.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University and Rock Hill Schools have announced a new step in their partnership: a shared commitment to creating a strong pipeline of future educators.

Representatives from both institutions announced the Education Dual Credit Pathway on Sept. 1 at Winthrop's Little Chapel, an appropriate location considering the university's first classes began in the Little Chapel in 1886.

Winthrop President Edward Serna '02 and Rock Hill Schools Superintendent Deborah Elder signed the agreement for the program, in which students will complete a carefully sequenced series of education and general education courses across their high school junior and senior years, allowing them to begin building college credit and foundational knowledge for a future career in education. Courses will include READ 290 (Children's Literature), EDCO 202 (Effective Practices for Exceptional Learners), some math courses and more.

"Rock Hill Schools has been a consistent and fantastic partner with us in opening doors to more opportunities and creating more pathways to college and career success," Serna said. "We look forward to continuing our shared vision for thoughtful and engaged teachers in the workforce."

At the signing, several leaders spoke about the program's future positive impacts.

• Winthrop Provost Sebastian van Delden noted: "Education is the ultimate equalizer in society. Students not only receive education through this program; you become a teacher and a leader who has a profound impact on our community by educating generations of future students to come."

• Superintendent Deborah Elder mentioned that her great aunt had attended Winthrop and gone on to teach for decades. Addressing the students in attendance, she said: "You have an amazing opportunity. A door is opened for you, and you have the responsibility to go through that door and hold it open for everyone behind you. These innovative partnerships start with the question, 'what if?' What if we could do this? What if we could try something different? … I hope we keep continuing to ask 'What if'?"

• Bettie Parsons Barger, associate dean in the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, said: "Part of who we are at Winthrop is preparing outstanding educators. Our faculty are hands-on and deeply invested in helping students grow, and our programs are grounded in strong partnerships with schools and districts.…We bring that same commitment to this pathway."

Northwestern High School senior Georgia Sconyers is one of the nine students enrolled in the fall 2026 program, which she considers an honor.
"I'm especially excited to earn college credit while still in high school, learn from the Winthrop faculty and explore education as a possible career," she told the crowd. "This experience is helping me begin to see myself not only as a future college student, but also as a future educator."

For more information, contact:

Alicisa Johnson, executive director of secondary education, Rock Hill Schools, [email protected]
Katrina Cassier, dual enrollment coordinator, Winthrop University, [email protected]