WASHINGTON- Howard University students Charis Elisabeth Hayes and Carys Carr were recently named in the ninth cohort of the HBCU Scholars program by the White House Initiative on advancing educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity through HBCUs. 

During the 2023-2024 academic year, HBCU Scholars will represent their respective college or university, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Initiative on HBCUs. Students in this program are encouraged to uplift their communities, bring people together around student success, work to strengthen to further the objective of raising the bar.

“The entire Howard University community extends congratulations to Charis and Carys on their selection as 2023 HBCU White House Scholars,” said Provost Anthony Wutoh. 

Charis Haynes is a senior biology and political science double major from Covington, Georgia. She is a member of the Karsh STEM Scholars Program (Cohort 4) in addition to being a part of the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, Howard University Student Association, a high school mentor, and serves as a basketball coach at a youth recreation league in the local Washington, DC area. She is also involved in various other organizations on and off campus. 

 “I am honored for the opportunity to represent Howard University in this way and look forward to witnessing the positive impact that my involvement will bring to our beloved Mecca,” Haynes says.

Carys Carr is a 3rd year political science major with a minor in maternal and child health from Rochester, NY. Carys is currently a member of Howard University’s Bowling Team, the Black Women in Pre-Law Society, the National Council of Negro Women, and the Sisters in Public Health. She was also a 2023 Inductee of the Howard University Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

“I’m happy to be able to set an example for those from my city and people who don’t think they can accomplish great things because of where they’re from, I hope to be a beacon of hope for them,” Carr says.

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.

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About Howard University 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced two Schwarzman Scholars, four Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American PhD. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.