About Institutional Advancement

MISSION STATEMENT

The Division of Institutional Advancement is committed to supporting the vision and mission of Johnson C. Smith University. We will make academic excellence our top priority and support the advancement of JCSU as a premier professional liberal arts HBCU, providing students with high-quality academic, social, personal, professional and spiritual learning experiences that lead to individual growth and development, a strong sense of community and purpose, and top career outcomes.

We will nurture life-long, mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, parents, friends and organizations that result in philanthropic support, volunteerism, and commitment to strengthening partnerships that will help sustain growth and continued success. In all things, we continue to support the goal of the founders: to create a university of the highest order of excellence. We value our partnerships with individuals, corporations, and foundations.

VISION STATEMENT

Johnson C. Smith University will prioritize academic excellence and be recognized as a premier professional liberal arts HBCU, providing students with high-quality academic, social, personal, professional, and spiritual learning experiences that lead to individual growth and development, a strong sense of community and purpose, and top career outcomes.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT SERVICES

OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT

The Development unit is responsible for raising private resources to enhance enrollment strategy and retention, improve the campus experience, strengthen academic resources, and provide unrestricted support of day-to-day operations. Constituencies served include JCSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, and an external community of friends, parents, organizations, corporations and foundations. Major events include Homecoming, Founder’s Day, CIAA, Arch of Triumph Gala, and Commencement. The Development Office consists of the Annual Fund, Major and Planned Gifts, Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, and Grants Research.

ALUMNI RELATIONS

The Alumni Relations unit cultivates relationships with current and future alumni; grows the annual fund in dollars and participation rate; builds alumni programming around affinity groups such as academic majors, athletic teams, choir, and more; and solicits alumni support of University fundraising initiatives. The unit also is responsible for establishing new chapters and increasing alumni engagement in the University’s priorities and facilitating communications between alumni and University administrators.

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

The University Communications and Marketing (UCM) unit produces creative, edgy visual communication pieces to publicize JCSU events, programs and initiatives; expand social media activities to reach a larger, more diverse audience, while also increasing engagement with existing social media followers; increase media outreach on a local level to communicate the university’s history, impact and influence in the region; and ensure brand consistency across all communication channels – visual, social, news, online, etc.