WASHINGTON – Howard University students Christian Miles and Ashley Anderson were recently named in the tenth cohort of the HBCU Scholar Program by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  

The initiative is a government-wide policymaking effort to eliminate barriers HBCUs face in providing the highest-quality education to their students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, HBCU Scholars will represent their respective college or university, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Initiative on HBCUs.  

HBCU Scholars will be exposed to professional and personal development, and cross-university networking opportunities with an opportunity to explore, discuss, and improve issues specifically related to the HBCU community. Students in this program are encouraged to uplift their communities, bring people together around student success, and work to strengthen to further the objective of raising the bar. 

Miles, a senior supply chain management major from Beaufort, South Carolina, says he enjoys helping his peers succeed and mentoring his fellow students in the School of Business. Miles has held several leadership roles while at Howard, at various points serving as team leader in the University’s Alternative Spring Break program, president of the American Marketing Association, management team leader for the School of Business 21st Century Advantage Program, and secretary of the Consulting Club. 

“I am incredibly honored to represent our University within the White House Initiative. I am eager to leverage my business background and community service experience to collaborate with my exceptional peers in developing innovative solutions,” said Miles. “I am particularly excited to attend the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference and compete in the NASA Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition.” 

Anderson, a junior broadcast journalism major and sports administration minor, hails from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She has earned dean's list honors each of her semesters at Howard and is involved in various organizations on campus such as the Cathy Hughes School of Communication Student Council, the Pre-Alumni Club, the Undergraduate Student Assembly (UGSA), and Spotlight Network. She has also served as a team leader for the University’s Alternative Spring Break program. Anderson says she takes great pride in connecting with peers to enhance her ability to serve others and make a meaningful impact in her community. 

“I am beyond honored to represent our university as a 2024-2025 White House HBCU Scholar,” Anderson said. “Throughout this experience, I am eager to build meaningful relationships with other HBCU scholars and to work together to enhance our HBCUs by utilizing the initiative’s resources to make a positive difference in our communities.” 

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