WASHINGTON –The Howard University College of Arts and Sciences welcomes Ravi K. Perry, Ph.D., as professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, one of the University’s largest undergraduate programs, enrolling more than 700 first majors, and featuring a robust graduate program, which includes the world’s only Ph.D. in political science focusing explicitly on Black politics.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Dr. Ravi K. Perry will serve as chair of the Department of Political Science,” says Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Rubin Patterson, Ph.D. “This is an exciting time for the College as we chart a new path forward. Dr. Perry’s impressive accomplishments as a prolific scholar, dedicated teacher, and able administrator, make him an excellent addition to the College’s leadership team.” 

Perry joins the department with an expertise in Black politics, minority representation, urban politics, American public policy, and LGBT candidates of color. He is currently finishing his fourth book, which will introduce readers to the lives and campaigns of Black, and openly lesbian and gay elected officials in the United States. He refers to his new appointment as the job of a lifetime, being the child and brother of an HBCU graduate, and the child of one of the first scholars in Black and Ethnic Studies. 

“I’ve long been inspired by the legacy of Howard Political Science,” Perry explains. “The department’s first Ph.D. graduate, my fraternity brother of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the “father” of Black Politics - Dr. Hanes Walton, Jr., is the reason I’m a political scientist today. Howard inspired Dr. Walton and Dr. Walton inspired me to study politics while a student at the University of Michigan.”

Perry holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan, and a master of arts and Ph.D. from Brown University, each in political science. Perry says he’s thrilled to join the Howard community and the dynamic faculty and staff within the department.

“Political science at Howard is like no other department in the country in that our location in D.C. particularly aids in linking our diverse students to area career opportunities in academia, public service, politics and the bureaucracy,” says Perry. “I particularly look forward to working with Dean Patterson, the University’s administration, the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center and the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center to continue to provide our students and faculty with research opportunities. I’m really excited to build partnerships for our students and faculty with the many political and policy think tanks in D.C. I can’t wait to get into the classroom to teach Black Political Activism and Black Queer Politics.”

Perry brings a diverse background in the political science discipline, having previously served as chair of the Department of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and a faculty member at Mississippi State University and Clark University. 

His published works include “21st Century Urban Race Politics: Representing Minorities as Universal Interests,” a book detailing the efforts of minority mayors to represent the interests of minorities in America’s historically white cities, “Black Mayors, White Majorities: The Balancing Act of Racial Politics,” focusing on the challenges Black mayors face in representing Black interests in majority White, medium‐sized cities in the state of  Ohio, and “The Little Rock Crisis: What Desegregation Politics Says About Us,” published with his mother, framing how the Little Rock 1957 desegregation crisis motivated social and political action among residents.

Perry is immediate past president of the Association for Ethnic Studies, and a member of the Executive Council for the Urban Politics Organized Section of the American Political Science Association. Perry is a former member of the Executive Council for the Sexuality and Politics Organized Section of the American Political Science Association and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. Previously, Perry was also a member of the Board of Directors and Affiliate Equity Officer for the ACLU of Mississippi, and was also one of the first openly gay branch presidents of color in the history of the NAACP in Worcester, Massachusetts. 

Perry is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including being recognized as one of the Andrew Goodman Foundation’s 50 Hero Citizens, Out Magazine’s Hidden 105 and The Advocate’s 193 Reasons to Have Pride, and Top 40 Under 40.

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ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu

Photograph credit: Ravi K. Perry, Ph.D.