About Institutional Advancement

MISSION STATEMENT

The Division of Institutional Advancement is committed to supporting the mission-vision of Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Academic excellence and operational efficiencies are our top priorities, especially as we are committed to ensuring that JCSU is a transformative liberal arts HBCU that provide students with high-quality academic, social, personal, professional, and spiritual experiences.

We will nurture life-long, mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, families, friends, and organizations that result in philanthropic support, volunteerism, engagement, and commitment to strengthening partnerships that will help sustain growth and continued success. In all things, we continue to support the goal of JCSU’s 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

In order to withstand strong external pressures to higher education and to become a resilient University, the Office of Development is responsible for increasing our unrestricted funds. We ask that financial contributors to the University consider giving to the JCSU Fund so that our day-to-day operations and highest priorities can be met. In addition to increasing unrestricted funds, the Office of Development also raises funds from private resources to enhance enrollment strategy and retention, strengthen academic resources, improve the campus experience, and among other priorities, address infrastructure needs. The Office serves various constituencies, including our students, faculty, staff, alumni, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, and an external community of friends, families, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Major events include Homecoming, Founder’s Day, CIAA, Arch of Triumph Gala, and Commencement. We are expanding how we engage with donors and contributors to JCSU by increasing our focus on the Annual Fund, Major and Planned Gifts, Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, and Grants Research.

ALUMNI RELATIONS

The Alumni Relations team cultivates and sustains 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, band, honors societies, and more; and solicits alumni support for University fundraising initiatives. The unit is also responsible for establishing new chapters, increasing alumni engagement related to the University’s priorities, and facilitating communications among alumni and University administrators. As we continue to embark on JCSU’s “New Era of Excellence,” the Alumni Relations team will increase its attention to raising unrestricted funds in order to further elevate our renewed focus on alumni and the university.

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