Points of Pride

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Academics
photo of JCSU's team for the HBCU Battle of the Brains
Academics

JCSU was recently named a community Center for Coding and Creativity in collaboration with Apple and Tennessee State University. This partnership provides JCSU resources to bring workforce development opportunities to students in the broader Charlotte community.

JCSU was selected for IBM’s first Quantum Education and Research Initiative for HBCUs. As a part of the multi-year Skills Academy Academic Initiative in Global University Programs, IBM pledged more than $100 million in assets, including guest lectures, curriculum content, digital badges, software and faculty training to select HBCUs.

A team of JCSU students won the HBCU Battle of the Brains in March 2022 after developing a solution to a problem posed by the NFL. NFL executives chose the JCSU team as their favorite and invited them to participate in the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.

Two JCSU students, Paige Davis ’23 and Hannah Anderson ’23, were selected to attend Harvard Business School’s Summer Venture Management Program in Boston. The program aims to increase diversity and opportunity in business education and global commerce.

Advancement
Mayor Lyles announcing The Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative to advance racial equity in Charlotte, N.C.
Advancement

In November 2021, Johnson C. Smith University received $80 million from The Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative to advance racial equity in Charlotte, N.C. The funds, in part, will be used to expand degree programs and offer new programs that are impactful, pioneering and transferable.

JPMorgan Chase awarded JCSU with a $750,000 grant in November 2021 to help the University expand its career pathways programs for students who are interested in financial service careers.

In February 2022, the PNC Foundation awarded a $375,000 grant to Johnson C. Smith University to enrich the future of entrepreneurship by creating a hub for student entrepreneurs to develop and grow businesses.

Alumni donated $1,082,981 in fiscal year 2020-2021.

In May 2021, Wells Fargo donated $1 million to JCSU to provide students with scholarships experiential learning opportunities and financial health education.

Athletics
Golden Bulls basketball players in a huddle surrounded by Luv-A-Bull cheerleaders
Athletics

JCSU’s golf team will host the inaugural Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup in August 2022 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. The Centennial Cup will showcase six HBCU golf teams. The tournament is presented by the PGA.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the second annual circuit of Chris Paul HBCU Events. Johnson C. Smith University was selected to participate at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with Clark Atlanta University, Virginia Union University and Xavier University of Louisiana in November 2022.

Community Engagement
Dr. Davida Haywood getting COVID Vaccine in Brayboy Gymnasium
Community Engagement

The Carolina Panthers visited campus in May 2022 for their Keep Pounding Day community service initiative. Panthers players, coaches and legends installed new planters and a new roof on the greenhouse in JCSU’s Sustainability Village.

JCSU partnered with Atrium Health and the Carolina Panthers for the Million Mask Initiative in September 2020. More than 35,000 masks were distributed during a mask giveaway on campus and in surrounding communities.

JCSU hosted an Atrium Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic, where nearly 6,000 local educators and community members received the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine in March 2021.

In December 2020, JCSU teamed up with Samaritan’s Feet, Councilman Malcolm Graham ’85 and CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams to distribute 800 pairs of shoes and Hope Bags to the community during the holiday season.

Faculty, staff and students gave JCSU-branded “I Voted” stickers at the polls to residents who voted in the 2020 election.

JCSU partnered with UNC Charlotte, Queens University, Johnson & Wales and Central Piedmont Community College to support racial healing and transformation. The effort is supported by the Consortium’s selection as a Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center by the American Association of Colleges & Universities.

Awards
Aerial wide shot of JCSU Campus and Charlotte West Side community
Awards and Recognitions

JCSU is ranked the No. 1 private HBCU in North Carolina by U.S. News & World Report (2020).

Zippia named JCSU the best small college in North Carolina for placing graduates in jobs.

JCSU earned three HBCUgrow LEAD Awards at the annual conference in the categories of Marketing, Innovation and Military-Friendliness.

JCSU’s Sport Management Program is listed as the second-best Sport Management Program in North Carolina, according to Niche. It is also ranked #17 on the 2020 Best Colleges for Sport Management in America list. The University is the only HBCU in the top 20 of 299 schools.

SR Education Group named JCSU a Top 10 online program in its 10th Annual Best Online Colleges in the Nation.

Quick Facts
1,040 students
15 NCAA DIVISION II TEAMS
23 Degree seeking programs
Quick Facts
1,040 students
15 NCAA DIVISION II TEAMS
23 Degree seeking programs
Quick Facts
1,040 students
15 NCAA DIVISION II TEAMS
23 Degree seeking programs