Johnson Controls recruits at more than 40 colleges and universities across the nation, 14 of them are HBCUs.

After Hurricane Katrina, Johnson Controls played a pivotal role in helping Dillard University in New Orleans regain its footing by assisting the university with HVAC improvements and sponsoring fundraising events.

“We suffered about $400 million in damages. One of the things that Johnson Controls did was serve as the premier sponsor for our fi rst annual Pre-Commencement Scholarship Concert, which netted the university more than $200,000 for scholarships,” says Dr. Walter Strong, executive vice president of institutional advancement at Dillard University. “Johnson Controls understood that the vitality of Gentilly, the surrounding area, was largely predicated on Dillard’s ability to come back strong. Johnson Controls stepped up to the plate and found ways to be assistive.”

Menzies’ passion for Black colleges stems from a family lineage fi lled with HBCU alumni.

“My mother, aunts and uncles attended HBCUs, [mainly] Dillard and Xavier universities. My passion for Black colleges comes from living four blocks away from an HBCU, watching the students who attended and wanting to be like them,” says Menzies, a native of New Orleans, La. One of the schools Menzies attended was historically Black Southern University at New Orleans.

A serious commitment to diversity is at the center of Menzies’ focus and it is the cornerstone of Johnson Controls’ philosophy.

“At Johnson Controls it is a business imperative to focus on the development of our future work force by strengthening education and training opportunities in technical fi elds,” says Charles A. Harvey, vice president of diversity and public aff airs. “Th e cultivation of talent at all levels through diversity programs and higher education is critical to our ongoing success.”