1. "Today" Was a Good Day - Howard Goes Live on National Television. Howard began the year on the national stage as NBC's "Today with Jenna and Friends" guest host Taraji P. Henson (B.F.A. ’95, D.H.L. ’22) was joined by Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts Dean Emeritus Phylicia Rashad (B.F.A. '70) to award the Dr. Andrew Allen Sr. Memorial Scholarship to Howard theatre arts major Trinity Garrison live on national television. The scholarship is funded by Rashad and alumna Debbie Allen (BFA ’72, DHL ’93) in honor of their father, an alumnus for whom the scholarship is named. 

2. Top Scholars - Howard Professors Among the Nation's Very Best. Howard University psychology professor Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D., and education professor Leslie T. Fenwick, Ph.D., were named among the top "200 university-based scholars in the United States who did the most last year to shape educational practice and policy," according to rankings published in Education Week. Howard was the only Washington D.C.-based university with an affiliated scholar appearing in the top 100 and the only historically Black college or university with scholars appearing on the list. 

3. Return to Research One - Unique Among the Nation's Top Research Institutions. Howard University doubled down on its research legacy, once again becoming the sole HBCU and one of only 187 universities in the U.S. a with a Research One Carnegie Classification, which indicates “very high research spending and doctorate production.” R1 is widely considered to be the highest research activity classification among colleges and universities in the United States. 

4. No Alternative to Truth and Service - 1,300 Students, 22, Cities, and 150,000 Hours. Some 1,300 students debarked from campus en route to 22 cities across the nation as apart of Howard's Alternative Spring Break. In lieu of vacation, students collectively performed more than 150,000 hours of community service in one week.

5. A Bison Took Her Place in the National Gallery of Art - The Revolutionary Elizabeth Catlet. The world was again exposed to the artistic genius of a Howard alumna, as the life and work of Elizabeth Catlett (B.A. '35) became the center of an expansive exhibition at the National Gallery of Art. "Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist," showcased Catlet's prowess in sculpture, drawing, and printmaking and her impact in giving visibility to the triumphs and trials of people from marginalized communities around the world. The Howard community participated in numerous events honoring the celebrated alumna.

6. A Bulwark for Equal Justice - Launch of the 14th Amendment Center. In March, Howard launched the 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy, which is led by Vernon E. Jordan, Esq. Endowed Chair in Civil Rights Sherrilyn Ifill. The center focuses on issues related to the important constitutional amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship and equal protection of laws. Its assignment to Congress with the power to protect those rights has led to legislation which has transformed the nation.   The center’s work is founded upon four pillars:  law and policy; education and curriculum; art, imagination and narrative; and democratic institutions.  

7. Chadwick Boseman's Brilliance Still Radiates - Deep Azure Premieres. On one night only, the Howard family gathered to honor the late actor and alumnus Chadwick Boseman (BFA '00, DHL '18) at the historic Howard Theater as a special stage reading of his play, “Deep Azure,” raised funds for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. Inspired by true events, “Deep Azure” poetically describes the aftermath of the police-involved killing of a Mecca University student named Deep. Centered on his girlfriend Azure’s determination to get to the bottom of his murder and reveal the truth, the play uses the language of hip-hop, the blues, and jazz, as well as themes of spirituality, love, and things perhaps universally accepted as truths, to tell its story. 

8. Recognized as a Powerhouse in Graduate Education - Numerous Programs Rank High. U.S. News & World Report rankings placed many of Howard's graduate programs firmly in the top tier of institutions preparing the next generation of educators, researchers, and policymakers. Howard University placed #12 in Social Work, the highest ranking among colleges and universities in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area as well as among other HBCUs. Howard University School of Law placed #13 in Law Schools with the Most Graduates at Big Law Firms, surpassing other institutions with stellar reputations including Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), New York University (NYU) and George Washington University. Howard outpaced schools in the greater DC, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area in the "Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care" category. Howard University's School of Education moved up more than 10 points from last year, placing #54 in among "Best Education Schools" in the nation. Howard also ranked as the #1 HBCU in criminal law, constitutional law, dispute resolution, intellectual property law, healthcare law, trial advocacy law, economics, English, fine arts, history, political science and speech pathology.

9. A Beacon for Opportunity - Social Mobility on Display. The American Council of Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named Howard University one of the nation’s top “Opportunity Colleges and Universities – High Access and High Earnings.” Howard was recognized as a model college in providing access to high-quality education for students regardless of their socioeconomic or cultural background and preparing those students to earn relatively high wages in the context of their geographic locations. The “Opportunity College” classification is ACE and Carnegie’s highest designation for colleges and universities that facilitate social and economic mobility.

10. A Million Dollar Idea - Howard Students Win Goldman Sachs Case Competition. Goldman Sachs asked teams from HBCUs were asked to propose and defend a business solution to grow revenue for a global company which operates in 42 countries based on a merger, acquisition, or product launch. The team won the case competition for a second time, bringing home $1 million for Howard.

11. Howard Graduates Its Largest Class - More Than 3,100 Students Take the "Long Walk." With approximately 3,167 graduates, the Class of 2025 was projected to be the university's largest. Graduates ranged from 19 years old to 72 years old and came from 44 states and 29 nations. Fifteen percent of the class were first-generation college students.

12. "I Can Go Twice as High" - LeVar Burton Headlines Commencement Ceremonies. Peabody, Emmy, and Grammy-Award winner LeVar Burton created a full circle moment for graduates during his Commencement address, as many students were introduced to education as young children by watching "Reading Rainbow," hosted by Burton. “Remember that you are descended from some of the most resilient souls in the history of humanity,” Burton said during his remarks at the ceremony, which was held on The Yard for the first time in years.

13. Superlative Swimmers - Men's Swim Team Wins the NEC. Howard's men’s swim team won the 2024-25 Northeast Conference (NEC) Swimming and Diving Championships in Geneva, Ohio. Several students won gold medals and Howard's coaches were NEC Coaching Staff of the Year.

14. Fourpeat - Women's Track and Field Team Wins the MEAC. Following a dominant performance at the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championship over the weekend, the Howard University women’s team are once again champions — for the fourth time in as many years. 

15. Showtime - Howard's Musicians Raise Their Voices On Kevin Olusola Track. Kevin Olusola, the dynamic singer, cellist, and beatboxer best known for his work with the 3x-GRAMMY® Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, joined forces with Howard University musicians in a powerful new collaboration, “Hallelujah at Howard University.” The track is featured on the deluxe edition of his acclaimed debut solo album "Dawn of a Misfit Deluxe."

16. Among the Best in the World - A Best Global University. Howard University was named one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 “Best Global Universities,” a comprehensive survey of 2,250 leading institutions spanning more than 100 countries. The “Best Global Universities” rankings evaluate institutions based on critical metrics including academic research performance, global and regional reputations, and international collaborations across more than 100 countries.

17. Redefining Artificial Intelligence - Project Elevate Black Voices Helps Construct AI Voice Recognition. Howard University and Google Research released data which can be used by artificial intelligence developers to improve the experience of Black people using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology. Through the partnership, Project Elevate Black Voices, researchers traveled across the United States to catalogue dialects and diction used frequently in Black communities but often not recognized or misconstrued by artificial intelligence-driven technologies, making it more difficult for many Black individuals to engage with the technology. 

18. Global Scholarship - Six Additions to Howard's Fulbright Cadre. Six Howard graduates were awarded prestigious 2025–2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants. These scholars will travel abroad to teach, conduct research, and pursue graduate study in Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Columbia, France, and the United Kingdom. 

19. LinkedIn Names Howard as the #1 HBCU - An Inaugural First.  LinkedIn has unveiled its inaugural Top Colleges rankings of higher education institutions in the United States, naming Howard University as the #1 HBCU. According to LinkedIn, the list identifies the schools that “set graduates up for long-term success.” 

20. A Princeton Review Best College - Howard Stands Out Among the Nation's Top Colleges. Howard University was named by Princeton Review’s as one of the 391 colleges or universities in its 2026 Best Colleges list. The distinction affirmed Howard’s status as a national leader in research and education.

21. Forbes' Top HBCU, Again - Howard Repeats Its #1 Ranking. Forbes recognized Howard University as the #1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation for the second year in a row, according to its 2026 America’s Top Colleges rankings. The annual list showcases 500 colleges “that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.” The colleges were ranked based on return on investment, average student debt levels, and outcomes for graduates. They were also evaluated based on the number of students who return after their first year the number who graduate on time and high salaries after graduation. 

22. A "One of One" Legacy - Homecoming 2025. The 101st anniversary of Howard's Homecoming showcased the many ways Howard has either been first, the only, or the the top institution engaged in world-changing achievement.

23. A Son of Howard Returns - Wayne A. I. Frederick Explains the "State of the University." Howard's Board of Trustees asked Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. '92, M.D. '94, MBA '11), president emeritus and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, to return as interim president. Frederick's Homecoming State of the University address elucidated his priorities as interim president, which include addressing finances, recruitment and enrollment, student services, and infrastructure.

24. Cross Country Champions - Howard Runners Win MEAC. Howard University's Women’s Cross Country team captured the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship in Cary, North Carolina, with five student athletes finishing in the top 15. Head Coach Dameon Morgan earned his first MEAC Outstanding Coach of the Year honor.

25. A Historic $80 Million Investment - MacKenzie Scott Makes Transformative Gift. Howard University received one of the largest gifts in its history, an $80 million investment from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The unrestricted gift to Howard University and Howard University College of Medicine will help advance strategic priorities and sustain access and opportunities for students.