As more college students gravitate toward degrees in business, computer science and health care, roles in government agencies and other vital civic institutions struggle to attract the brightest and best. The Smith Davidson Leadership Initiative aims to address that problem. A joint project of Johnson C. Smith University and Davidson College, it offers hands-on training to prepare students for careers in public policy, public administration, law and other civic-minded fields. 

Students from the two schools receive specialized academic programming on campus and two summer internships at nonprofit or public sector organizations. The Endowment supported the initiative’s launch in 2020 with a $630,000 grant. A subsequent $855,000 grant in 2025 supports the program for three more years. 

The goal: to produce a cadre of students who help lift their communities through careers in public service or public sector roles. The initiative’s graduates are already heading into the workforce. 

Before completing her studies at Davidson in January 2026, Brooke Joyce interned at the city of Charlotte and the town of Mooresville. After graduating, she took a job with the town of Mooresville as a planning specialist. She was quickly promoted to community development planner, overseeing a federal grant — and her old internship position. 

“I really enjoy public policy,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to make a career out of public service.” 

The Smith Davidson initiative has served more than 30 students in its six years. Some have gone on to land jobs in local government offices, or advanced to graduate school to study public administration or law. Students apply as sophomores and complete a paid summer internship with a Charlotte nonprofit. Students from the two schools live together that first summer so they can share their experiences. A year later, they complete a second paid summer internship in another city or participate in an academic, public policy-related institute. 

They receive regular programming during the academic year, and they must complete a capstone project before the end of their senior year. Civic organizations hosting interns have included the city of Charlotte, the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention, For the Struggle and Action NC. 

Ja’Darius Littlejohn secured a high-profile internship with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C. But an internship with a budget and finance team at the city of Charlotte solidified his intent to seek a finance position with a public agency upon graduation. 

“I loved it,” the Johnson C. Smith mathematics major said. “I got to see how the government’s payments work, where the money gets allocated.” 

Two political scientists — Drs. Terza Lima-Neves of Johnson C. Smith and Brittany Murray of Davidson — co-direct the initiative. They said the program has matured well, overcoming early hurdles that included student recruitment and retention challenges, campus leadership changes and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A new assistant director based at Davidson, Shakaya Walcott, now holds office hours at JCSU as well, helping to keep affairs running smoothly. 

“Sometimes you feel like you’re building the plane as you’re flying it,” said Lima-Neves, who has been with the program since inception. “But I’m very pleased with the work we’re doing.” 

“As we strive for excellence, we look for ways to bring the four Endowment-supported schools together to work strategically with and learn from each other. The Smith Davidson initiative is a great example of what can happen when schools unite behind a common goal,” said Kristi K. Walters, director of Higher Education grantmaking for the Endowment. “The initiative is benefitting communities through the work of energetic young interns, while also training a new generation of civic-minded public servants.”