Johnson C. Smith University has
retained Isaacson, Miller to assist the search committee with the recruitment of the Senior Vice President of Transformation Initiatives.
All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to the following website: www.imsearch.com/8480.
Johnson C.
Smith University (JCSU), an independent, co-educational institution, and historically African American university, seeks a highly
collaborative and strategic change leader as its next Senior Vice President (SVP) of Transformation Initiatives. JCSU is on a journey to
transform the institution, with a relentless focus on academic excellence and strong personal and professional outcomes for its students.
The SVP of Transformation Initiatives will be an experienced strategist, who will lead the execution of a bold vision for the future of the
institution and serve as an advisor for the President and work closely with internal and external stakeholders.
JCSU is
well-positioned to address new and emerging challenges in the fast-changing higher education landscape. The University recently received
pledges of approximately $80 million as a part of Mayor Vi Lyles’ Racial Equity Initiative to address inequalities and remove barriers
to opportunity. Along with promoting academic excellence, bolstering career outcomes, and increasing student recruitment and retention, the
initiative aims to make the school and its graduates more competitive, open doors to corporations, and put individuals on the path to
leadership.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead within an institution that has had an outsized impact on higher education
since the beginning of its 155-year history. JCSU is known for its courage to challenge norms, its long history of curricular innovation,
its commitment to educational access, and its ambition to set forth students who will change the world.
The ideal candidate will be a
talented project manager with the capacity to motivate and influence leaders toward change. The SVP will have a proven track record of
facilitating complex organizational change and leading high-visibility projects with cross-functional stakeholders. They will possess a high
degree of self-motivation and be a superior communicator. The successful candidate will bring a keen sense of the landscape of higher
education and a commitment to the mission and values of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), The Thurgood Marshall College
Fund (TMCF), and Partnership for Education Advancement have launched a landmark collaboration to drive tangible, long-term progress across
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and positively impact the Black economy. As the first of its kind, the collaboration
aims to increase HBCU health and sustainability, improve student outcomes in retention and graduation rates, expand enrollment, and increase
capacity building with faculty and staff.
A recent study from McKinsey & Company shows that investing in HBCUs would profoundly
affect the US economy and help fill the social and economic gaps Black Americans experience as they are uniquely positioned to foster such
advancement given their assets, experience, and cultural and historical significance. With that, Blue Meridian Partners, a pioneering
philanthropic model for finding and funding scalable solutions to problems that limit economic and social mobility for America’s young
people in poverty, committed an initial $60 million to support the HBCU Transformation Project.
JCSU is 1 of 20 inaugural
institutions participating in the initiative.
As a part of this initiative, the SVP should be prepared to have direct oversight of
several Transformation Resource Officers (TROs) to support the execution and transformation of strategic plan initiatives, track the impact
of transformation and strategic initiatives in collaboration with other stakeholders, and implement change throughout the institution. The
Transformation Office will have two TROs, potentially adding more team members to support JCSU’s strategic priorities. Each TRO will
provide high-level project management for one or more of JCSU’s strategic goals.
The TROs will help prioritize ideas, coach
initiative owners to develop robust initiative plans, hold regular check-ins to clear roadblocks, and escalate issues to University
leadership when needed for each of their assigned strategic goals. All TROs will also maintain visibility into the work of other team
members. In addition, each TRO will manage one or multiple special projects. Specific scopes of special projects will be determined by the
SVP of Transformation Initiatives and University leadership.
As JCSU’s transformation progresses, the SVP will play a deciding
role in designing and redesigning the Transformation office, adding resources and capabilities, and shifting TROs’ roles and
responsibilities to adapt to the University’s needs.
Competitive candidates will have a minimum of 8 years
of related professional experience and a bachelor’s degree. Additional required qualifications include:
Successful
candidates will have many of the following preferred, but not required qualifications:
Nominations and applications should be directed in
confidence to the following website: www.imsearch.com/8480.
They may also be mailed to the attention of one of the individuals listed below at the address provided.
HISTORY OF JCSU
Johnson C. Smith University
is an independent urban University rooted in the HBCU tradition and charged with fulfilling the “JCSU Promise.” That promise is that JCSU
endeavors to graduate students who are able to: communicate effectively; think critically; work independently as well as collaboratively;
and demonstrate competence in their chosen field. Founded in 1867 to educate freed slaves, today JCSU faces new challenges to produce the
next generation of graduates who make up a new demographic majority consisting of students of color. JCSU must prepare them to navigate and
thrive in a marketplace where people of color suffer disproportionate rates of unemployment and underemployment. JCSU students rely on us to
help them reverse those trends. They understand that the value of education is the promise of freedom and personal fulfillment. For the
large number of JCSU students who are first-generation students, a college degree provides a viable route out of poverty.
JCSU
offers a rich intellectual climate supported by 83 full-time faculty, 162 full-time staff members and a $45-million annual operating budget.
It leverages its numerous community partnerships to guide various faculty-student applied research initiatives, many of which focus on
improving education, health and economic mobility in the surrounding Historic West End neighborhoods.
The University’s
leadership is committed to building a strong and sustainable University that has a reputation as a close-knit community that integrates the
liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology in innovative, socially conscious ways to empower tomorrow’s diverse entrepreneurial
citizens and leaders. Whether in or out of the classroom, JCSU offers students growing edge experiences that will not confine them to dream
small or to accept what is. JCSU students understand that they have an obligation to see challenges and solve them and to demand thought,
growth and change in every community they touch. JCSU’s commitment to building a premier professional liberal arts HBCU that delivers
a high education at a relatively low market cost will ensure JCSU’s impact and viability for generations to
come.
Johnson C. Smith University has a rich history and is heralded as one of the best Historically Black Colleges and
Universities in the nation, educating nearly 1,100 students and employing 245 full-time faculty members, administrators, and staff.
In 1924, the University was recognized as a four-year college by the North Carolina State Board of Education and that same year was
named one of the first beneficiaries of The Duke Endowment. JCSU began admitting women in 1932 (becoming fully coeducational in 1941) and in
1938 attained the status of an independent college, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, reporting to the General Assembly through the
Board of Christian Education.
JCSU’s historic Biddle Hall was hand-laid, brick by brick, by former slaves and students
working by candlelight with craftsmen to literally provide a foundation that lasts to today. JCSU was founded in 1867 by Rev. S.C. Alexander
and the Rev. W. L. Miller as The Freedmen’s College of North Carolina. Later in 1867, the name changed to Biddle Memorial Institute in
honor of Captain Henry J. Biddle, the late husband of benefactor Mary D. Biddle, and became Biddle University in 1876. It was renamed
Johnson C. Smith University in 1923 to honor the generous donation of Jane Berry Smith in memory of her late husband. JCSU holds in its
archives a sword belonging to Captain Biddle, who was a member of the staff of General George McCall.
The University was a
founding member of the United Negro College Fund in 1944, and through its membership and additional support from The Duke Endowment, the
University entered an intense building phase from 1955 to 1968. Notable additions from that time include the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium, the
Duke Memorial Library, and the University Memorial Union.
As JCSU’s physical campus continued to expand thanks to the
generosity of various benefactors, the University invested in academic culture enhancements, establishing the Learning Center, the Honors
College and the Service-Learning Center between 1988 and 1994.
In the fall of 2000, JCSU gained national recognition by
launching the IBM Laptop Initiative, becoming one of few colleges in the country and the first historically Black college to provide an IBM
laptop computer to every student. In 2009, The Duke Endowment awarded JCSU $5.7 million to fund the Center for Applied Leadership and
Community Development and the Metropolitan College, and in 2011, issued a $35 million grant to support science programs, scholarships, and
capital improvements on campus.
Over the past decade, JCSU has completed several new construction projects and renovations,
including a mixed-used development known as Mosaic Village, the JCSU Arts Factory and the New Science Center.
In 2012, JCSU
collaborated with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute to host “UFUTURE: A Summit for Innovative Young Thinkers in conjunction with the
Democratic National Convention, which was held in Charlotte.” The event attracted high-profile politicians and celebrities to JCSU and
amplified the voices of more than 300 students from 20 regional colleges and universities. Looking ahead, JCSU will continue to fulfill its
promise to produce graduates who can communicate effectively, think critically, learn independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate
excellence in their chosen career fields under the leadership of its 14th president, Clarence D. Armbrister, J.D. In 2021, U.S. News and
World Report ranked JCSU as the top private HBCU in North Carolina.
MISSION
The mission of
Johnson C. Smith University is to provide an outstanding education for a diverse group of talented and highly motivated students from
various ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds. Johnson C. Smith University offers a liberal education in conjunction with
concentrated study in a specialized field in preparation for advanced study and specific careers.
The University endeavors
to produce graduates who are able to communicate effectively, think critically, learn independently as well as collaboratively, and
demonstrate competence in their chosen fields. Further, it provides an environment in which students can fulfill their physical, social,
cultural, spiritual, and other personal needs and in which they can develop a compelling sense of social and civic responsibility for
leadership and service in a dynamic, multicultural society. Likewise, the University embraces its responsibility to provide leadership,
service, and lifelong learning to the larger community.
Regarding teaching effectiveness as paramount in its educational
enterprise, Johnson C. Smith University has a commitment to the recruitment and retention of an outstanding faculty. To this
end,the University promotes faculty development, encourages faculty involvement in research and other creative activities, and
endorses the principles of academic freedom.
To ensure the integrity and stability of its status and the perpetuation of its
rich legacy, Johnson C. Smith University has a firm resolve to maintain tile fiscal and human resources requisite to be a truly distinctive
institution-a hallmark of excellence in its students, facilities, operations and environment. Additionally, Johnson C. Smith University,
Incorporated shall continue the present policy of admitting students of any race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin, to all rights,
privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded to or made available to students at the University. In regard to faculty and staff,
employment by and promotion within the University shall be on the basis of merit, and there shall be no discrimination on any
basis.
THE CAMPUS
Johnson C. Smith University sits on 100 acres in the center of Charlotte,
N.C. Several campus vistas provide an awe-inspiring view of Charlotte’s striking skyline. Even though it seems as if you can reach out and
touch the uptown skyscrapers, the beautiful campus has a suburban feel, providing a green oasis in the city’s urban core. JCSU is recognized
as part of the Charlotte’s urban forest with more than 900 trees or groupings of trees from 66 different species valued at about $5
million.
Many buildings and structures on the campus are considered among the most iconic buildings in the Queen City.
Biddle Memorial Hall, the University’s landmark building, sits on the highest point in the city of Charlotte, allowing its historic clock
tower to be seen from Interstate 277 and from the upper-floor windows of the Queen City’s skyscrapers. The Romanesque-style brick and stone
building was built in 1883. Students often worked alongside craftsmen laying the bricks by candlelight in the evenings after finishing
classes. It is the oldest building on campus and currently serves as the administration building. Biddle Memorial Hall was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It received the Historic Preservation of North Carolina Gertrude S. Carraway Merit Award in
2005 and the Historic Charlotte Preservation Award in 2006.
Like all HBCUs, Johnson C. Smith University is proud of its rich
history while blazing new trails into the future. New construction has resulted in modern facilities that have become iconic campus
buildings in their own right. In fall 2012, JCSU opened Mosaic Village, a mixed-use residential facility near the campus. The $25 million
project funded by a public-private partnership is widely considered to have kick-started the revitalization of the Historic West End. The
contemporary facility houses 300 students with retail space on the ground floor and features a rooftop terrace with some of the best skyline
views in Charlotte.
In fall 2015, the University opened its new Science Center. The 62,000 square-foot modern facility
houses the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The state-of-the-art building includes laboratories and specialty
centers for renewable energy, medical informatics, analytics, and bioinformatics. The 213-seat auditorium has held important campus and
community meetings, making it a vital resource for the Historic West End.
Sustainability Village is an urban farm on campus
that provides fresh produce and fish to residents in Charlotte’s Historic West End. The village includes greenhouses, an aquaponics system,
a hydroponics garden, and beekeeping. Aquaponics is a sustainable system of farming that entails growing crops and cultivating fish in a
closed-loop environment. Food grown in Sustainability Village is sold at the neighborhood Rosa Parks Farmers Market and sold to local
restaurants. Excess produce and fish are given to senior citizens and those experiencing food insecurity in the surrounding
neighborhoods.
The back of campus is anchored by Irwin Belk Complex, which houses the Eddie C. McGirt Field, home of the
Golden Bulls football team, and a world class Mondo surface track, which houses the Golden Bulls track and field program. The track has
gained a national reputation and served as site of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2007, 2010 and 2018. JCSU’s
highly regarded track program has produced several Olympians for the United States, Canada, and Jamaica. In 2018, the NCAA named Irwin Belk
Complex as one of the most scenic Division II stadiums in the nation because of its excellent skyline views. With a mix of historic
buildings, modern architecture, suburban-like tree canopy and awe-inspiring views of Charlotte’s striking skyline, the JCSU campus-home of
the Golden Bulls-is a beautiful place to live, learn, work, play, relax and live life like it’s golden.
ACADEMICS
• Pensole Design Academy recruited students from JCSU for its inaugural L.E.A.D.
(Leaders Emerge After Direction) initiative, aimed at diversifying sneaker and footwear designers.• JCSU was selected for
IBM’s First Quantum Education and Research Initiative for HBCUs. As part of the multi-year Skills Academy Academic Initiative in
Global University Programs, IBM pledged more than $100M in assets, including guest lectures, curriculum content, digital badges, software
and faculty training to select HBCUs.• JCSU becomes community Center for Coding and Creativity, in collaboration with Apple
and Tennessee State University. Partnership provides JCSU the resources to bring workforce development opportunities to students and the
broader Charlotte community.• 10 students graduated from first cohort of JCSU’s Red Ventures Road to Hire partnership.
Upon completion, they received employment with the company headquartered in Charlotte.• JCSU graduated the first cohort of
students in our Lactation Consultant Training Program, the first Pathway 2 program at an HBCU in the country.
JCSU offers a
progressive curriculum with 23 degree-seeking programs. The University emphasizes applied research and strongly encourages undergraduate
research in all majors. The 9:1 student to faculty ratio enables personalized instruction and collaborative research. JCSU embraces a global
perspective for learning inside and outside the classroom. Study abroad supports the importance of a worldview, with students studying and
conducting research in Egypt, Israel, Russia, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Cape Verde and other countries around the world. First-year students
receive a free passport.
In addition to traditional undergraduate programs, JCSU has an adult degree program within the
Metropolitan College of Professional Studies, which also houses online degree programs in sport management and business administration. The
School of Social Work offers the Master of Social Work program, which places a heavy emphasis on cultural competency.
JCSU
is committed to hiring expert faculty members who prepare students for rewarding careers by helping them to develop the professional and
social skills needed for workforce success.
THE JCSU PROMISE
JCSU produces graduates who
are able to:
• Communicate effectively• Think critically• Learn independently and
collaboratively• Demonstrate excellence in their chosen field
A VIBRANT CAMPUS
EXPERIENCE
Johnson C. Smith University provides a vibrant campus experience for students with diverse interests,
talents and skills through athletics and extracurricular activities. The enriching environment enables students to explore and
grow-intellectually, socially, culturally and spiritually-and develop a sense of social responsibility. With 60 student organizations and
the option to create new ones, students have the opportunity to be involved in a number of ways. Some campus groups include:
• Caribbean-American Student Association• Golden Bulls Activities Committee• Greek letter
fraternities and sororities, including the Divine Nine of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a Latino fraternity, and a Latina
sorority• LGBTQ student organization• NAACP• National Association of Black
Accountants• National Society of Black Engineers• National Pre-Alumni Council of UNCF• Social Work
Club• Student Government• Toastmasters International
JCSU participates in NCAA Division II
athletics as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The Golden Bulls field 15 total sports for men and women,
including football, basketball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.
Founded under the auspices of the Committee on
Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church, spiritual life remains important even though the University is no longer an arm of the
Presbyterian Church. The University provides many student support services and takes a holistic approach to student development through the
Office of Counseling and Testing; the HealthPlex, a facility for health, wellness, exercise and research; the Health Center, staffed by
full-time nurses; the Center for Career and Postgraduate Readiness; Office of Residence Life; and numerous opportunities for community
service and engagement.
Diversity and Inclusion
Johnson C. Smith University is an academic
community and workplace environment which values diversity and the intellectual growth that results from the sharing and expression of
different ideas and perspectives. Johnson C. Smith University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is strong and unwavering, and JCSU
espouses those values beyond the gates of the campus. JCSU actively recruits high-achieving students, faculty and staff from different
cultures, races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities.
Johnson C. Smith University does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status as it relates to student enrollment or hiring. By creating a campus community that embraces inclusiveness, JCSU believes that
all involved in the academic enterprise will grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and culturally while developing a sense of social
responsibility. JCSU uses intellectual and social capital to build trust and promote relations across all boundaries to sustain community
assets when working with neighborhoods surrounding the campus and with communities throughout the city.
Through direct
actions on campus and partnerships with key organizations in the community, Johnson C. Smith University is steadfast in its dedication to
serving as a catalyst for social change resulting in a global society that is grounded in social justice for all humankind.
• U.S. News & World Report ranked JCSU fifth among the Top 10 Most Diverse HBCUs in America (2015).• JCSU is
the first HBCU to form a chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., (2014) and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
(2015).
ADVANCEMENT
• David and Nicole Tepper contributed $250,000 to aid deserving
JCSU students in overcoming financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.• Truist Financial awarded JCSU $100,000 to
purchase laptops and other technology that assisted more than 130 students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.•
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded two grants totaling $610,000 to support JCSU’s Cultural Studies program in the College of Arts
and Letters and relief efforts to JCSU students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.• Alumni donated a record $1.1 million in
the FY 2019- 2020.• 1969 CIAA Football Championship tea
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