Clarence D. Armbrister, 14th President
Clarence D. “Clay” Armbrister is the 14th president of Johnson C. Smith University. With over 35 years of experience in the private and public sectors, Armbrister has an extensive background at all levels of education, including time in senior administrative and leadership positions at Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, the School District of Philadelphia and Girard College. Armbrister has also held executive positions in law, government and finance. He has a long history of volunteer service. Currently he serves on the boards of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Center City Partners, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and Health Partners Plans, Inc., Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, Vice President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Go Red for Women, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and co-chair of the All In 2040 Center City Vision Plan Steering Committee. A native of Miami, Florida, Armbrister received Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science (concentrating in public policy) and in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He and his wife, Denise, have five children and four grandchildren.
Leave a Reply