News

Since early August, the Johnson C. Smith University Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, under the direction of Dr. Cheryl Harris Curtis, has undergone a remarkable transformation, experiencing exponential growth and significant changes. One significant change was the hiring of Veterans Services Coordinator Rikketta Franklin, M.Ed., on Aug. 19, 2024. After Franklin’s position, an additional four were granted through the Veterans Administration (VA). The department scaled from a single person to a team of six within one semester. 

Sixty-five percent of Johnson C. Smith University students are Pell Grant-eligible, a statistic that underscores the exceptional financial need of its students.
In 2023, JCSU got to work in helping to connect students with more scholarship opportunities by hiring Shirley Townsend to take on the role of Scholarship Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor.

B. Simone, also known as Braelyn Simone, arrived on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University on the evening of October 15, 2024, to drop big knowledge on the crowd. The comedian, entrepreneur, and social media influencer came to share her story and enlighten students.

The excitement of college can sometimes turn to stress if we are not careful. Dean Anita Bledsoe-Gardner of the JCSU College of Liberal Arts, had an idea that would offer respite for the tired mind and stressed soul. It’s called the Zen Den, and it’s located inside the Edward E. Crutchfield Center for Integrated Studies on the JCSU campus. 

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.

JCSU’s campus was abuzz Friday as freshmen students and their families unpacked their cars, moved into their residence halls, and set off on their journeys as Golden Bulls. This new generation of Smithites is the largest incoming class since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in enrollment has brought a number of unique and expressive new students to campus.

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!