Johnson C. Smith University and New Urban University Coalition partnership buoyed by Gates Foundation grant
|
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper on December 09, 2015 The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant to bring together three mission-driven, visionary universities focused on improving undergraduate completion rates and advancing the quality of life for neighboring schools and communities. The three partner institutions—Johnson C. Smith University, Drexel University in Philadelphia and National Louis University in Chicago—have formed a New Urban University Coalition (NUUC) based on a shared interest in revitalizing the urban communities and Pre-K-12 public schools that surround them. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, and resource and infrastructure development, President Ronald L. Carter, President John A. Fry and President Nivine Megahed will leverage priorities, successes and lessons learned to explore what it means to be a “mission-driven, new urban university.” The NUUC hopes to address issues of community engagement, student support systems, college completion and security on campus. The grant, courtesy of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will finance the costs associated with three conferences and idea-sharing. The grant will also support the creation and promotion of a white paper describing the key characteristics and strategies of the NUUC. “Though we may be unlikely partners considering our geographical locations and student populations, we are all urban universities transforming higher education for underserved communities,” said Dr. Carter. “Working together, we will create meaningful systemic change both locally and nationally.” ### About Johnson C. Smith University Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is an independent, close-knit urban university located in Charlotte, N.C. It has a growing national reputation for integrating the liberal arts with business, the sciences and technology in ways that empower tomorrow’s diverse entrepreneurial citizens and leaders. Offering 23 fields of study, including a master’s degree in social work, to more than 1,400 students from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, the university’s excellent academic programs focus on servant leadership, civic engagement and global responsibility. For more information about JCSU, visit www.jcsu.edu or follow the university on social media sites Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Reginald Culpepper
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
Comments
More From This Author
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Hosts 94th South Central Regional Conference in Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Register Now For This Upcoming Diagnostic Imaging Virtual Info Session and Q&A with Providence on April 16th |
Latest News
 |
Scholarship Opportunity for HBCU Connect Members!Roth Staffing is proud to partner with HBCU Connect to offer two (2) scholarships to HBCU members or their dependents who have made an impact in their community and strive to make life better for othe ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 252 Views • April 15th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 107,065 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
