The Howard University School of Education hosted the second installment of the HBCU Education Deans Summit: Honoring Legacy, Forging Excellence Oct. 1, reaffirming its leadership in strengthening collaboration among historically Black colleges and universities.

This year’s convening brought together deans and directors from 13 HBCUs classified as Carnegie Research Two institutions, with the goal of expanding collective capacity, advancing research, and enhancing educational impact across the HBCU network. The summit’s Issues Forum focused on building research infrastructure and identifying strategic funding opportunities to support innovation and collaboration across participating schools and colleges of education.

The annual gathering reflects Howard's continued commitment to serving as a convener and catalyst for national dialogue on educational advancement within the HBCU community. The initiative aims to deepen partnerships among institutions and national organizations to address shared challenges in teacher preparation, educational equity, and institutional sustainability.

The HBCU Education Deans Summit and Issues Forum represents the power of collective vision and purpose, said Dr. Dawn Williams, Dean of the School of Education. "When HBCU leaders come together, we not only celebrate our shared legacy but also chart a unified path forward to strengthen research capacity, expand opportunity, and deepen our impact on the nation’s educational landscape," she said. 

By bringing together academic leaders from across the nation, Howard continues to reinforce its role as a central force in shaping the future of HBCU education. As the only HBCU currently designated with the Carnegie Research One (R1) “Very High Research Activity” status, Howard recognizes both the responsibility and the opportunity to help pave the way for our peer institutions to achieve this distinction as well. 

“HBCU Colleges and School of Education have a long legacy of producing some of the most effective teachers, school leaders, and professionals in this nation," said Dr. Paula Groves Price, Dean of the School of Education at North Carolina A&T State University.

Participating universities included: 

Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, North Carolina A&T State University, Southern University and A&M College, Delaware State University, Jackson State University, Tennessee State University, Florida A&M University, Morgan State University, South Carolina State University, Texas Southern University, and Virginia State University. Grambling State University also joined as an invited participant.

The summit underscores a shared vision — honoring the legacy of historically Black institutions while forging pathways toward greater excellence, innovation, and impact in education research and leadership. 

"The HBCU Education Dean’s Summit and Issues Forum provided a valuable opportunity to share information and catalyze ideas that will collaboratively advance the research enterprise and positively impact the communities we serve," said Dean Price.  

"I am grateful for the leadership and vision of Dean Williams and Howard University for recognizing the power of cross-institutional collaboration and partnerships, she said."

Dean Williams echoed the same sentiments. “This convening marks a strategic beginning—one that transforms dialogue into action. The partnerships and ideas formed here will continue to grow, fueling real momentum. This is just the start of what we will accomplish together,” said Dean Williams.