honored in 2012 by The Corporation for National and Community Service
and the U.S. Department of Education. The university joins the
nation's leading colleges and universities, students, faculty members
and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through
community service and service learning.
Johnson C. Smith University was admitted to the Honor Roll for 1,109
of its students completing 15,270 hours of community service on
programs such as Soul of the Northwest Corridor Initiative and others
promoting learning for kids.
The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of
exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their
communities. Inspired by the thousands of college students who
traveled across the country to support relief efforts along the Gulf
Coast after Hurricane Katrina, the initiative celebrates the
transformative power and volunteer spirit that exists within the
higher education community.
"Community service is highly encouraged at our university," said
Sherrill Hampton, director for applied leadership and community
development. She said a major part of community engagement focuses on
revitalizing Charlotte's Northwest Corridor which covers more than 34
historic neighborhoods. "Our university has taken a leadership role in
the revitalizing efforts by implementing the Soul of the Northwest
Corridor Initiative, a new community planning model patterned after
the Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community Project," said Hampton.
Another community service project at JCSU promotes learning for
children of various age groups through tutoring, parent advocacy and
mentoring. Special services offered include a Saturday academy, a
tutoring program for children in grades three to five, writing
workshops for high school students and a West Charlotte High School
mentoring program.
"Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation
of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create
positive impacts in the community," said Robert Velasco, acting CEO of
CNCS. "We applaud the Honor Roll schools, their faculty and students
for their commitment to make service a priority in and out of the
classroom. Together, service and learning increase civic engagement
while fostering social innovation among students, empowering them to
solve challenges within their communities."
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has
administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted 642 schools to
colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and
neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that
total, 513 were named to the Honor Roll, 110 received the recognition
of Honor Roll with distinction, 14 were identified as finalists, and
five received the Presidential Award. For a full list of recipients,
visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal
agency that engages more than five million Americans in service
through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America
programs, and leads President Barack Obama's national call to service
initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit
NationalService.gov.
About Johnson C. Smith University
Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is the premier
independent urban liberal arts university located in the heart of
Charlotte, N.C. It offers a progressive liberal arts curriculum with
23 fields of study to more than 1,600 students. The University
prepares students for success through excellent academic programs with
a focus on servant leadership, civic engagement and global
responsibility.
www.jcsu.edu
