Winthrop University To Open Fort Mill Campus in Fall 2027

Winthrop University signed an agreement Friday to establish a campus in Fort Mill. This makes it the first college in town. The new site is set to open in fall 2027 and will work with pre-K students, high schoolers, and adults.

Officials from Fort Mill and the Rock Hill-based school finished the agreement Friday afternoon, though they haven't worked out money matters yet.

"We really struck gold with this," said Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage, according to the Herald.

The campus will occupy space at 123 N. White St., next to Fort Mill Town Hall. Two years back, the town bought both former Springs Industries buildings for nearly $23 million. The new campus could span close to 4,000 square feet of the more than 64,000-square-foot building, said Winthrop Board of Trustees Chairman Joel Hamilton.

Hamilton said the expansion has been part of the school's plan for several years. The move gives access to high-growth Fort Mill and brings the institution closer to Charlotte.

Three parts will make up the new location. An early childhood lab school similar to the Macfeat program in Rock Hill will be the first piece. Macfeat is the longest-running lab school of its kind in the country, according to the university.

Dual enrollment classes will be the second part. High school students in Fort Mill will be able to take classes at the main campus in Rock Hill this fall, similar to programs for students in the Rock Hill district. Students earn college credits through the program while still in high school. When the Fort Mill location opens, options will grow there with possible summer classes.

The third piece will center on advanced degrees. A graduate degree program will be housed at the Fort Mill site, with classes for other options to support main campus programs. Pop-up classes for adults are planned on topics like money management, AI, and nutrition. Certificates for specific industries or careers are an option, too.

Last week the university announced plans to serve as a tech hub in South Carolina to support workforce development. While that hub will be on the main campus in Rock Hill, the Fort Mill site can help connect companies and workers in need of specialized training.

"Here, a little bit closer to Charlotte and just north of the river, Fort Mill and Winthrop are about to build something truly special," said Winthrop Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sebastian van Delden.