CHARLOTTE - Johnson C. Smith University earned second place for its department wide commitment to literacy in the 2026 Division II Award of Excellence. Through The Smitty Project, in partnership with the James B. Duke Memorial Library, student-athletes contributed more than 2,000 engagement hours to programs designed to strengthen early literacy and provide college exposure for K-8 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

"A highlight for me doing these events with young kids is those in-between moments," said Kailyn Hitch, volleyball student-athlete, SAAC representative and community service co-chair. "When you hear them say, 'You're so inspiring,' or 'I can't wait to grow up and go to college and further my education,' it's moments like that where it's a reminder that you're actually doing something good." 

Key initiatives included the Smitty & Friends CMS AVID Day, mentorship and literacy activities, and the Smitty & Friends Scholastic Book Fair, which provided free books and college-readiness activities for more than 400 third graders and their families during Homecoming Week. Additionally, the Smitty Smart Hub Tutoring Collaboration launched virtual literacy support for kindergarten and first-grade students using a research-based model.

The overall finalists were chosen by a committee of athletics administrators and the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, with the SAAC members ultimately selecting the top three finalists, and was announced during the Division II business session at the NCAA Convention on Friday.

Each finalist will receive $750. The winner will receive $3,000, with the second-place finisher getting $1,750 and the third-place finisher awarded $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC programming or community engagement events.