The Howard University Board of Trustees announced today that President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., is stepping down as the 18th president of Howard University. He began serving as president in September 2023 and will step down on August 31, 2025.
"On behalf of the Howard University Board of Trustees, we extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Vinson for his service and leadership as president," said Leslie D. Hale (BBA ’94), Howard University Board of Trustees chair. "We extend our very best wishes to him in his future endeavors."
President Vinson has worked collaboratively with the Board to ensure an orderly and seamless transition of leadership as he concludes his service to the University.
Reflecting on his presidency of Howard, Dr. Vinson shared, “Over the course of my tenure as President, I have worked with unwavering commitment to advance the strategic vision I believe best serves the future of this institution, including in the areas of AI, data science and analytics, and global and diasporic engagement. My foremost priority has always been the well-being and success of this community, and I remain committed to ensuring a smooth and constructive transition. I am grateful to the Board, faculty, staff, students, and partners who have supported the work we’ve undertaken together. It has been an honor to serve Howard. At this point, I will be taking some time to be with my family and continue my research activities. I look forward to using my experiences as president to continue to serve higher education in the future.”
“As we move forward, the Board of Trustees and University leadership remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining Howard’s mission of excellence, truth, and service and a vibrant, welcoming, and innovative academic environment where students continue to succeed,” said Board Chair Hale. “Given our focus and commitment, the Board has selected an interim president who is uniquely equipped to serve the University during this time of transition.”
The Board has appointed Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA (B.S. ’92, M.D. ’94, MBA ’11), president emeritus and 17th president of Howard University, to serve as interim president. Dr. Frederick is among the distinguished leaders who have contributed to Howard’s legacy through his impact as interim president in 2013 and as the permanent president from 2014 to 2023. His deep institutional knowledge and proven leadership will ensure stability, continuity, and continued progress as we navigate complex social challenges and shifts in the higher education landscape and chart the University’s next chapter. His success at raising a record amount of funds for the University’s endowment and programming provided unprecedented support for student scholarships, faculty, and modernization of academic curricula and facilities.
Dr. Frederick’s term will begin on September 1, 2025, and will conclude following a comprehensive national search and selection of the next permanent president.
For more than a century and a half, Howard University has shaped leaders, fueled positive social change, advanced research, and scholarship, and created a legacy of excellence that has endured through generations. The University’s foundation is built upon the collective vision and strength of our community. Through periods of change Howard has demonstrated the ability to adapt, evolve and innovate, while continuing to shine as an incomparable source of knowledge, truth, and transformation.
“Together with our community, we will continue to build on the University’s positive momentum and accelerate its upward trajectory. Our recent designation as a Carnegie Research One university and our recognition by ACE and the Carnegie Foundation as a top “Opportunity College and University” confirms what is known about this institution: Howard University is, and will remain, a vital force for excellence, progress, and opportunity,” said Hale.
The Board will engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and stakeholders during the transition to inform the University’s path forward. Details on the search for the next permanent president will be announced in the future.
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