The president of UNCF-member institution Johnson C. Smith University Dr. Valerie Kinloch has been named a 2025 Aspen Ascend Fellow, according to a university press release.

The Ascend Fellowship, organized through the Aspen Institute, supports fellows in their work to improve the well-being of children and families. The fellowship provides limited flexible capital to seed partnerships and fund the work of fellows.

“To be named an Aspen Ascend Fellow is really important at this point, because we are engaging in some serious transformation work at the university,” said Dr. Kinloch in the press release. “It is going to hopefully transform how we think about Johnson C. Smith University as a hub of excellence.”

Kinloch’s work through the fellowship will address critical issues that affect HBCUs. “My project is focused on driving forward a vision for Johnson C. Smith University to be an anchor institution with local, national and global alliances,” she said. “It is important to create sustainable multisectoral partnerships with industry, non-profit organizations, social service agencies, families, children, communities and others if we are to really understand ways to provide educational opportunities grounded in collaboration, focused on accessibility and committed to equity in education.”

This fellowship is one of many Kinloch has received over her years of service. She has earned grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Corporation for National and Community Service, Fulbright-Hays Program and Spencer Foundation and is the recipient of the Scholars of Color Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association, the Distinguished Diversity Award from Ohio State, the Rewey Belle Inglis Award for Outstanding Women in English Education and the Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award, both from the National Council of Teachers of English.

Kinloch is also a prolific author. Her book, Harlem On Our Minds: Place, Race and the Literacies of Urban Youth, has received several awards including the National Council of Teachers of English Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Outstanding Book Award and the AERA Committee on Scholars of Color in Education Early Career Contribution Award.

Over 14 years, the Aspen Ascend Fellowship has gathered more than 180 leaders together into a diverse network positioned to solve the greatest challenges families face today. Twenty distinguished leaders have been selected for this year’s cohort.

“These 20 leaders have bold ideas that are ready for a quantum leap, not just individually, but as a collective,” said Anne Mosle, vice president of the Aspen Institute and founder and executive director of Ascend. “Our country and communities are hungry for leaders like them, ones they can trust and who offer—and deliver—innovative solutions and a path forward.”

To learn more about Johnson C. Smith University, the only HBCU in Charlotte, NC, visit UNCF’s website.

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