The World is Our Teaching Canvas!
Welcome to the University Honors Program (UHP) at Johnson C. Smith University.
Honors Program
Mission Statement
The University Honors Program is designed to meet the academic needs of high-achieving students by offering transdisciplinary programming that allows our scholars to co-construct knowledge and work towards creating solutions to global issues. Our goal is to cultivate these high-achievers into academically astute global scholars who are culturally competent, equity-minded, adaptable and prepared to thrive in the world. We foster a supportive environment where students can discover their passions and maximize their full potential.
Our Values:
- Academic Excellence: We strive to achieve the highest standards of scholarship and performance through an exceptional community of faculty, staff, and students.
- Integrity and Accountability: We embody honesty, honor, and take responsibility in all that we do.
- Experiential Learning: We believe that learning is cultivated through active participation and by developing a wide-range of diverse skill-building experiences that will foster analytical and critical thinking.
- Cultural Competence: We promote the exploration of different cultures, languages, lifestyles and learn how to build upon our differences.
- Empowerment: we embrace heritage-learning, free-thinking, self-love and radical courage to live out our dreams and visions with confidence.
Eligibility Requirements:
To apply to the University Honors Program at JCSU, please complete the online fall application with all appropriate documents by the May 1 deadline.
Note: Students must have been accepted to JCSU before applying to the UHP.
- Current academic standing (must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better for consideration)
- Official copy of your academic transcript(s)
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher or professor (signed and dated)
- Discuss leadership and community engagement experiences
- Address two essay questions
- Submit a 2-3 minute video (must be under 10 GB)
- Interest in undertaking academic research (specific area of study)
- Complete a panel interview (by invitation only)
- No current or past judicial sanctions
Student Categories
- First Year Students
- High school seniors, second-semester JCSU students, or non-traditional students who are admitted for the fall admissions cycle.
- Incoming Transfer Students
- College/university students with two years remaining in their program of study. Preference is given to students who are enrolled in honors programs at their transfer schools.
- Current JCSU Students
- Degree-seeking students currently enrolled at JCSU with at least two years remaining in their program of study.
Current Johnson C. Smith University Honors Program Scholars
Jayden Petrus
Hometown: Dublin, CA
Major: Information Systems Engineering
Double Minor: Data Science and Cybersecurity
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a Software Engineering Intern at SAS Institute. I also serve as a University Innovation Fellow with Stanford d.school. I aspire to become a Software Engineer, using my talents to make technology more accessible for Black and Brown communities. I enjoy reading, studying Japanese, and practicing Thai-Kickboxing. I maintain a 4.0 GPA while serving in the youth ministry at my church.
Major: Information Systems Engineering
Double Minor: Data Science and Cybersecurity
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a Software Engineering Intern at SAS Institute. I also serve as a University Innovation Fellow with Stanford d.school. I aspire to become a Software Engineer, using my talents to make technology more accessible for Black and Brown communities. I enjoy reading, studying Japanese, and practicing Thai-Kickboxing. I maintain a 4.0 GPA while serving in the youth ministry at my church.
Eryn Glover
Hometown: New Jersey
Major: Business and Marketing
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a CITIP Innovation Fellow, which stands for Charlotte's Inclusive Tech-Innovation Pilot Project. In this role, I assist in creating innovative learning spaces for JCSU stockholders that incorporate technology and collaboration. I was selected to serve as a project coordinator/administrative assistant for one of the world’s leading tech companies, Apple! I serve as the treasure for the Alpha Lambda Delta Academic Honor Society at JCSU. In my spare time, I enjoy reading the Bible, practicing the ukulele and engaging in creative endeavors (videos/fashion).
Major: Business and Marketing
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a CITIP Innovation Fellow, which stands for Charlotte's Inclusive Tech-Innovation Pilot Project. In this role, I assist in creating innovative learning spaces for JCSU stockholders that incorporate technology and collaboration. I was selected to serve as a project coordinator/administrative assistant for one of the world’s leading tech companies, Apple! I serve as the treasure for the Alpha Lambda Delta Academic Honor Society at JCSU. In my spare time, I enjoy reading the Bible, practicing the ukulele and engaging in creative endeavors (videos/fashion).
Traykeise Gillentine
Hometown: Zion, Illinois
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Computer Science and Engineering
Class of 2025
Greetings! I have an Associate degree in general engineering and am a proud member of the JCSU Golf Team. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, I enjoy coding, playing golf and am interested in artificial intelligence in business.
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Computer Science and Engineering
Class of 2025
Greetings! I have an Associate degree in general engineering and am a proud member of the JCSU Golf Team. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, I enjoy coding, playing golf and am interested in artificial intelligence in business.
Shay’Tonya Missick
Hometown: Freeport, Bahamas
Major: Sports Management
Minor: Sports Medicine Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a member of the JCSU Tennis team, the HHP Club, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Emerging Leaders and serve as the president of the International Students Organization. In my spare time, I enjoy playing pool, spending time with friends and listening to music. Following graduation, I will attend a graduate program to pursue my interest in sports medicine.
Major: Sports Management
Minor: Sports Medicine Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a member of the JCSU Tennis team, the HHP Club, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Emerging Leaders and serve as the president of the International Students Organization. In my spare time, I enjoy playing pool, spending time with friends and listening to music. Following graduation, I will attend a graduate program to pursue my interest in sports medicine.
William Goolsby
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Major: Sports Management
Career Goals: Sports Agent
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the HHP Club, NAACP and serve as a campus ambassador. I currently work as a Guest Experience Ambassador with the Charlotte Hornets and am interning with Baseline Sports Incorporated as a sports agent intern. I aspire to work in the professional sports industry overseeing operations or become a sports agent.
Major: Sports Management
Career Goals: Sports Agent
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the HHP Club, NAACP and serve as a campus ambassador. I currently work as a Guest Experience Ambassador with the Charlotte Hornets and am interning with Baseline Sports Incorporated as a sports agent intern. I aspire to work in the professional sports industry overseeing operations or become a sports agent.
Lauren Reese
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! As a non-traditional student, I currently serve as the Center Director at W.T. Harris KinderCare in Charlotte, NC while I am pursuing a degree in Social Work. In addition to being a mother, I enjoy hiking, traveling and creative writing. I am currently writing a children's book on friendship.
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! As a non-traditional student, I currently serve as the Center Director at W.T. Harris KinderCare in Charlotte, NC while I am pursuing a degree in Social Work. In addition to being a mother, I enjoy hiking, traveling and creative writing. I am currently writing a children's book on friendship.
Amani Barrow
Hometown: Saint Lucia
Major: Business Finance
Minor: Pre-Law
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a UHP and James B. Duke Presidential Scholar currently employed part-time in the JCSU IT department. I enjoy meeting new people, reading, working out and playing tennis. Post-graduation, I intend to pursue an MBA and establish a career in the banking and finance sector, or possibly corporate law.
Major: Business Finance
Minor: Pre-Law
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a UHP and James B. Duke Presidential Scholar currently employed part-time in the JCSU IT department. I enjoy meeting new people, reading, working out and playing tennis. Post-graduation, I intend to pursue an MBA and establish a career in the banking and finance sector, or possibly corporate law.
Melanie C. Wright
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a UHP and McNair Scholar, which provides students with the necessary programming and mentorship to be successful in pursuing a doctoral degree. I serve on the Dorothy I. Height Social Work Scholarship Fund as the Treasurer. I enjoy exploring new activities, reading good books, and trying new foods. I plan to enroll in the Master of Social Work program at JCSU upon graduation.
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am a UHP and McNair Scholar, which provides students with the necessary programming and mentorship to be successful in pursuing a doctoral degree. I serve on the Dorothy I. Height Social Work Scholarship Fund as the Treasurer. I enjoy exploring new activities, reading good books, and trying new foods. I plan to enroll in the Master of Social Work program at JCSU upon graduation.
Marion “Lamont” Littlejohn
Hometown: Shelby, NC
Major: Sports Management
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a quarterback on the JCSU football team. Being a UHP student means that I have to prioritize my time and efforts in order to excel academically. I believe that I can accomplish all of my goals as long as I keep God first in my life. Nothing is impossible! In my spare time, I enjoy working out, practicing football, and spending time with my family. My research interests surround how concussions shape NFL players’ lives.
Major: Sports Management
Class of 2026
Greetings! I am a quarterback on the JCSU football team. Being a UHP student means that I have to prioritize my time and efforts in order to excel academically. I believe that I can accomplish all of my goals as long as I keep God first in my life. Nothing is impossible! In my spare time, I enjoy working out, practicing football, and spending time with my family. My research interests surround how concussions shape NFL players’ lives.
Bria Lindsay
Hometown: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! As a non-traditional student, I have been inducted into The National Society of Leadership and Success, and Alpha Sigma Lambda. I work at the Department for Social Services (DSS) as an Eligibility Specialist while studying social work. I graduated summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies. In my personal time I enjoy the outdoors and researching emotional and behavioral disabilities in children. As a mother, I enjoy cooking and spending time outdoors with my children.
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! As a non-traditional student, I have been inducted into The National Society of Leadership and Success, and Alpha Sigma Lambda. I work at the Department for Social Services (DSS) as an Eligibility Specialist while studying social work. I graduated summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts Degree in General Studies. In my personal time I enjoy the outdoors and researching emotional and behavioral disabilities in children. As a mother, I enjoy cooking and spending time outdoors with my children.
Kimyetta Butler-Johnson
Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C.
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! In addition to being a wife and mother of three, I am pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work. My research interests include recidivism in judicial systems and restorative justice practices with historically underrepresented students. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and working out. I plan to continue my studies by pursuing a master’s degree at JCSU.
Major: Social Work
Class of 2025
Greetings! In addition to being a wife and mother of three, I am pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work. My research interests include recidivism in judicial systems and restorative justice practices with historically underrepresented students. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and working out. I plan to continue my studies by pursuing a master’s degree at JCSU.
Islaea Anderson
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminology
Class of 2027
Greetings! As a first-generation college student, I work with our campus police as well as I am a Blue Satin dancer for the JCSU band. I am very outgoing, outspoken and enjoy public-speaking. In my spare time I like to sew, dance, watch movies, write poetry and shop.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Criminology
Class of 2027
Greetings! As a first-generation college student, I work with our campus police as well as I am a Blue Satin dancer for the JCSU band. I am very outgoing, outspoken and enjoy public-speaking. In my spare time I like to sew, dance, watch movies, write poetry and shop.
Jayla Lewis
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Major: Criminology
Minor: Cyber Intelligence
Class of 2025
In addition to pursuing a career in the field of Criminal Justice, I maintain a 3.9 GPA. I am a University Honors Program and McNair scholar.I intern with the JCSU Campus Police. I also serve as a volunteer at Crisis Ministry and a tutor at JCSU.
Major: Criminology
Minor: Cyber Intelligence
Class of 2025
In addition to pursuing a career in the field of Criminal Justice, I maintain a 3.9 GPA. I am a University Honors Program and McNair scholar.I intern with the JCSU Campus Police. I also serve as a volunteer at Crisis Ministry and a tutor at JCSU.
Janiyah Hamilton
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Major: Social Work
Class: Freshman
As a full-time honors student, I also work part time in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at JCSU. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and creative writing. Following graduation, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work.
Major: Social Work
Class: Freshman
As a full-time honors student, I also work part time in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at JCSU. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and creative writing. Following graduation, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work.
Jaivyn Beauford
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
Minor: Dance
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am an Honors and James B. Duke Scholar who serves as the 2023-24 Miss Freshman for JCSU. As a pre-med scholar, I plan on pursuing my passion for medicine and professional dance.
Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
Minor: Dance
Class of 2025
Greetings! I am an Honors and James B. Duke Scholar who serves as the 2023-24 Miss Freshman for JCSU. As a pre-med scholar, I plan on pursuing my passion for medicine and professional dance.
Anthony Chatman
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
Major: Computer Engineering
Minor: Computer Science
Class of 2027
Greetings! I am a track & field athlete at JCSU. In my free time I enjoy working out, studying, coding and playing video games. My plan after graduation is to secure a programming career with one of the largest information technology companies such as Microsoft or Google.
Major: Computer Engineering
Minor: Computer Science
Class of 2027
Greetings! I am a track & field athlete at JCSU. In my free time I enjoy working out, studying, coding and playing video games. My plan after graduation is to secure a programming career with one of the largest information technology companies such as Microsoft or Google.