Johnson C. Smith University is among 642 schools across the nation 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 
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
