News

Johnson C. Smith University professor, Dr. Terza Lima-Neves, wanted to write a book that would highlight the people of her beloved Cape Verde. She wanted to move beyond rudimentary academic treatment to a discussion that would honor the musicality of authentic Cape Verdean voices.  She wanted to write a book, her second, that would honor the depth of history and cultural expression of her people. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, several JCSU students, faculty and staff shared an evening of food, fellowship and learning at the Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte, one of two Sikh temples in the city. They attended the latest dinner/dialogue organized by Potlucks for Pluralism, a partnership between JCSU and MeckMIN, Mecklenburg County’s interfaith network. The events bring students from JCSU, Johnson & Wales University, Davidson College, Queens University of Charlotte and UNC Charlotte together with different religious communities.

Randell "Randy" Perkins always knew he wanted to join the military to pay for college. Right out of high school, the Las Vegas native left the City of Lights to attend basic training. Due to his time in basic training and ongoing service as a cadet in the National Guard, Perkins has become the first JCSU cadet to sign his contract to serve in the military after graduation. When he walks across the stage to receive his diploma, Perkins will be commissioned into the U.S. military as an officer.

The Evo Championship Series, also known as Evo, is the largest esports tournament in the world. This year's event boasted a historical attendance record of over 10,224 esports competitors, representing 63 different countries. It was held in Las Vegas from July 19-21, 2024.

Six gamer-scholars representing JCSU's highly-competitive Esports Club, along with faculty chaperone, Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams, Founder and Coordinator of JCSU's Esports and Gaming Trifecta, the first at an HBCU, which consists of the first esports and gaming academic program, of any kind at an HBCU, the first Esports Lab at an HBCU, and an Esports Club, were ecstatic to attend Evo for the first, of hopefully, many more times to come.

This year, 110 outstanding students from 77 HBCUs across the nation have been selected and named to the 2024 White House Scholars cohort for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential and dedication to their communities.  Johnson C. Smith University’s own Sean Carter, a senior Accounting major from Bronx, N.Y., is one of them!

CHARLOTTE, N.C./JULY 18, 2024 – Zoe Migioni knew she wanted to leave her hometown in Zimbabwe to pursue her education in a different country.

“I love to change environments,” she said. “Initially, I wanted to go to Canada. But when a friend of mine came to the U.S., they kept telling me how great it was. America is one of the hardest countries to get into, and the education here is the highest you can aim.”

Now, the second-year Biology major says her decision to come to the U.S., but especially to Johnson C. Smith University, has changed her life and given her the opportunities she used to dream of.

Ryan Thurman began his higher-education career at Johnson C. Smith University less than two years ago. Since then, he’s made an unforgettable impression on any student he meets. This Summer, the admissions counselor was named the Recruiter of the Year by the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) and the Black College Expo.

Vice President Kamala Harris took to the stage at Johnson C. Smith University Wednesday, June 12, as the fourth stop on her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour. During her fifth visit to the state this year, the Vice President addressed everything from medical debt to ambition. "Dream with ambition. Never apologize for it," she said.

Johnson C. Smith University President Dr. Valerie Kinloch ’96 enjoyed a homecoming in her hometown of Charleston when she served as the commencement speaker for the graduating class of 2024 for Burke High School, Kinloch’s alma mater.  

Waves of Golden Bulls flooded Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. to walk across the stage, some of them for the first time, to receive their degrees.

Johnson C. Smith University conferred 228 degrees, 207 to undergraduate students, and 21 to graduate students in the Master of Social Work program. A total of 125 of those graduates completed their studies with Latin honors by earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher throughout their collegiate career.