Johnson C. Smith University’s Board of Trustees has named Dr. Valerie Kinloch the 15th president of the university, the school announced.

“It’s a dream come true to be invited to lead one of the finest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America – and at the same time come home,” said Kinloch, a 1996 graduate of the university and a member of its Board of Trustees.

Kinloch currently serves as University of Pittsburgh education school dean and officially begins her JCSU tenure on Aug. 1.

She replaces Clarence D. Armbrister, who announced in January that he would step down from the post after five years as president and would serve as a senior advisor to the incoming president until January 2024.

Kinloch was the trustees’ unanimous choice to lead the 156-year-old Charlotte, N.C. university that was founded to educate formerly enslaved Black Americans. Chairman Steven Boyd, who will serve as interim president until Kinloch officially steps into the role, said, “She is a dynamic leader and change agent pure and simple. She will help us continue to elevate the quality of education we provide as we deliver on our promise to mold the next generation of leaders for this community and beyond.”

A native of Charleston, S.C., Kinloch earned her bachelor’s degree in English and literature from JCSU before earning a doctorate in English from Wayne State University in Detroit. She previously held an associate dean position at The Ohio State University.

“My years at JCSU were some of the best of my life,” Kinloch said. “This university set me on course to grow beyond anything I could imagine, so it is incredibly gratifying to return and give back to the institution that helped make me who I am.”