President's Report - Johnson C. Smith University

President’s Report 2010-2011JCSU connects with the Charlotte business communityJohnson C. Smith University works with small businessowners and surrounding communities through theCenter for Applied Leadership and CommunityDevelopment. This new academic departmentconducts research and organizes groups around thearea’s most pressing social and economic issues.The Center for Applied Leadership and CommunityDevelopment and the Smith Institute for AppliedResearch will conduct a joint project to study newand expanded ways of thinking about communityengagement and economic empowerment in theNorthwest Corridor of Charlotte.in the center is a new major in visual and performingarts, which is part of the University’s plan to growenrollment through new academic programs.Inside the renovated 14,000-square-foot building,students have access to a dance studio, black boxtheater and facilities for graphic arts and filmmaking.Thanks to the partnerships formed with the Charlottearts community, The Arts Factory is now a reality anda visible sign of our investment in the community.Partnering organizations include the North CarolinaDance Theatre and the Harvey B. Gantt Center forAfrican-American Arts + Culture.12BeforeDr. Katherine Loflin, senior research fellow in theSmith Institute Center of Excellence, has been hiredas lead consultant for the Soul of the NorthwestCorridor Initiative. The initiative is adapted fromthe John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Soulof the Community project, a three-year partnershipbetween the Gallup Poll and the foundation to surveyand research 26 communities across the nation. TheUniversity is taking the national program to theneighborhood level and developing programming thatwill specifically benefit the Northwest Corridor.JCSU’s first step off campus came in September 2010when it opened the doors to The Arts Factory onWest Trade Street. It is also the University’s first steptoward revitalizing the Historic West End. HousedAfterJohnson C. Smith University is working with officialsfrom the city of Charlotte and several corporatepartners to construct a 5,760-foot HealthPlexcenter on campus to be used by the public. Thisgroundbreaking venture for the University and thecommunity is designed to promote health, wellnessand fitness.The HealthPlex will be built near Brayboy Gymnasiumand will feature a fitness center, two multi purposerooms with televisions and computer technology foreducational purposes, a kitchenette for nutritionalcooking demonstrations, as well as locker rooms. Afull line of services offered at the HealthPlex will helppeople reach their personal health and fitness goals.