JCSU placed on probation over financial responsibilities and management

Charlotte's Johnson C. Smith University has been placed on probation by its accrediting agency. The sanction stems from concerns over the school’s financial oversight.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has placed Johnson C. Smith University, a historically Black university, on probation for a year. The accrediting agency said JCSU failed to meet standards related to financial control, management of external funds, and compliance with federal and state obligations.

JCSU President Valerie Kinloch issued a statement through SACSCOC on the sanction.

"We are fully committed to strengthening all of our internal controls as we strive to become a nationally ranked, top-performing HBCU,” Kinloch said. "Over the last year and a half, we have worked hard to improve our overall operations. In the weeks and months ahead, additional improvements will be made as we prepare for an on-campus SACSCOC Special Committee visit in 2026.”

In a statement to WFAE, the university said students, faculty, staff, and alumni have been notified, and that staff were "all hands on deck" as the university worked to address SACSCOC's concerns.

The university added that in the last 18 months, it had hired faculty and staff in an effort to make "positive changes.""We are confident that JCSU will meet the required standards, and we will work hard to do so for as long as we need to do so," the statement said. "It is definitely our goal to right-size many important things here."

Being on "Probation for Good Cause" is the most serious sanction short of losing accreditation. Currently, JCSU’s accreditation remains intact, but a review in June 2026 is expected to determine whether the university is in compliance.