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Clarence Armbrister, the 14th president of Johnson C. Smith University (JSCU), Charlotte’s only historically Black university, announced his retirement. Armbrister joined the university in 2018 and will remain in his role through June.

Under his presidency, JCSU secured its largest financial commitment of $80 million as part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.

“It is a bittersweet moment for me and my family because we love this university and the unparalleled opportunities HBCUs like ours provide for thousands of students across the country each year,” Armbrister said in a letter Tuesday to faculty, staff and students.

The university’s leadership will continue to execute the university’s strategic plan known as the “Golden Blueprint,” which focuses on four key areas:

• strengthening academic excellence
• delivering strong career outcomes for students and companies
• creating academic pathways in partnership with other institutions, from community colleges to graduate-level programs
• improving recruitment and retention of students – many of whom are the first in their families to go to college

Armbrister said that it has been a “privilege and an honor” to serve JCSU.