When Clarence D. Armbrister became the 14th president of Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) in January 2018, he brought his experience in law and investment banking as well as his experience in education that encompassed both K–12 and higher education. When he leaves the presidency at the end of the spring semester, he will have made an indelible impression on the 156-year-old institution in Charlotte, North Carolina, including securing the university’s largest single financial commitment, $80 million.
Clarence D. Armbrister, president of Johnson C. Smith University, enjoys a Golden Bulls basketball game in Brayboy Gymnasium (home of “Brayboy Madness”) with First Lady Denise McGregor Armbrister.
Another highlight was making sure that JCSU achieved its rightful place in the consciousness of the Charlotte community and region. That was part of the strategic plan developed during his presidency.
The development of the strategic plan began in January 2020 at a weekend gathering of board members as well as individuals from the local community. They did what they called “scenario planning.” Worldwide pandemic wasn’t on the agenda.
“We weren’t planning for what we thought the future would be; we were trying to be expansive in our thinking that whatever the future might be, we would be able to adapt to it,” Armbrister said. “Little did we know what was coming. That was January. By the end of that month, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States. Less than 60 days after that, we sent everybody home.”
Education and work on the strategic plan continued. Part of the strategic plan efforts included reaching out — particularly to businesses — to ask how they saw JCSU being a net-positive producer for the community. They also spoke with potential students and their families. “We did a lot of asking questions and listening, and then it was the development of that plan,” he said.
The initial focus would be on a few areas of academic excellence, which would steadily expand over time with the goal of bringing the university a bright future. People bought into the vision and put time, talent and resources into effect. The momentum was propelled by multiple events. In addition to the pandemic, in May 2020, George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Armbrister said people realized that intentionality was essential to address systemic issues.
