Johnson C. Smith University

Johnson C. Smith University is an independent new urban university located in Charlotte. The University continues to gain a national reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology in innovative, socially conscious ways to empower tomorrow’s diverse entrepreneurial citizens and leaders.

Today, JCSU offers a progressive curriculum with 24 fields of study to nearly 1,500 students who come from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. The enriching environment enables students to explore and grow– intellectually, socially, culturally and spiritually – and develop a sense of social responsibility.

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HBCUs Matter and Boost Our Economy

Calling all HBCU students and alumni!

Your story matters. Tell us how UNCF has empowered you and your future, and inspire others to pursue their own college success.

Share your story with UNCF

One Summer, Three Opportunities: Rising Senior Zoe Migioni Turns “Not Planned” Into Nonstop

Zoe Migioni speaks at a podium For most college students, landing one summer internship is the goal. Johnson C. Smith University rising senior Zoe Migioni ended up with three — and she’ll be the first to tell you it wasn’t the plan.

“It was not planned at all,” Migioni said with a laugh. “The only thing that I knew I was going to do was the Data Stewards internship. Everything else kind of just found its way to me.”

The biology major and bioinformatics minor, who will graduate in May 2027, spent her summer moving between a virtual data internship, a bioinformatics research lab, and a classroom full of energetic young readers — three very different rooms, one common thread: putting her Smith education to work. >>Read More

‘Without UNCF Scholarships, I Wouldn’t Be Completing My Degree Now’

headshot of Malaysia Davis Malaysia Davis was awarded the John Lennon Endowed Scholarship and Tell Us About “U” Scholarship from UNCF—just in time for her to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a UNCF-member institution.

As a first-generation, nontraditional student and mother from Portland, OR, UNCF support enabled Davis to graduate on time. “It’s [UNCF scholarships] given me the stability and motivation to keep working toward my degree and a better future,” she said. “Without UNCF scholarships, I wouldn’t be completing my degree now.” >>Read More

A Mother’s Return to College Inspires the Next Generation

Amber House of Hartford, CT, was a recipient of the Goldman Sachs HBCU University scholarship administered by UNCF. House is a recent graduate of Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a UNCF-member institution, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science information systems with a concentration in cybersecurity.

As a nontraditional student and mom, House said UNCF’s support showed her children the value of education and hard work, while setting a positive example for them to follow. “My journey in higher education is deeply connected to creating a better future for my children, showing them the possibilities that come with hard work and determination,” she added.

UNCF scholarships enabled her to balance work and motherhood without taking on additional jobs to pay for school. “The prospect of accumulating significant debt would stress me out, making it difficult to balance my roles as a mother and a student,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to pursue my education with the same determination.” >>Read More