By Anna Culver | Fort Mill Now
A major new partnership between the Town of Fort Mill and Winthrop University is set to expand educational opportunities for Fort Mill residents!
On Friday, May 1, town leaders and university officials formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the future Winthrop University Fort Mill Campus, which will be located at Winthrop University Fort Mill Campus in downtown Fort Mill (123 North White Street). View the press conference here.
The initiative is designed to create a comprehensive educational hub serving the community from early childhood through adult professional development, marking a significant investment in Fort Mill’s continued growth and academic future.
At the recent signing ceremony, Mayor Guynn Savage described the partnership as a defining moment for the town, highlighting Fort Mill’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for residents while strengthening its already highly regarded academic community.
Programs for Different Stages of Learning
The new campus will center around three distinct programs — Launchpad, Ascend, and Altitude — each designed to support students at different stages of learning.
Launchpad will serve as an early childhood laboratory school modeled after Winthrop’s nationally recognized Macfeat Lab School in Rock Hill. The program will provide young learners with a research-based educational environment focused on creativity, exploration, and development under the guidance of educators and university faculty.
Ascend will bring expanded dual enrollment opportunities directly to Fort Mill students, allowing high schoolers to earn college credits before graduation. The program will include tutoring and academic support services for middle and high school students, staffed by Winthrop faculty and students.
For adult learners and professionals, Altitude will offer graduate programs, continuing education, workforce development resources, and career support. Planned offerings include programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, financial technology, business, data science, game design, and more. The space will also feature a Career Development and Internships Center, a Small Business Development Center, an advanced technology innovation space, and a Community Counseling Center.
The partnership builds on Fort Mill’s reputation as one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing and highest-performing school districts. With more than 140 years of academic excellence, Winthrop University brings a strong network of community partnerships, workforce development programs, and career-focused education to the initiative — helping position the project as a long-term investment in Fort Mill’s future families, workforce, and continued growth.
Written by Anna Culver | Fort Mill Now
