Tagged: Howard University

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education

Dr. Hatton had an extensive background in leadership at historically Black colleges and universities. She had stints as president of both South Carolina State University and Knoxville College and as dean of the Schools of Education at Clark Atlanta University and Tuskegee University.

Howard University, Virginia State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Spelman College are the latest HBCUs to receive major gifts from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. In just the past month, she has made record-breaking donations to eight HBCUs and the UNCF, building on the hundreds of millions of dollars in funding she bestowed to HBCUs in 2020.

Dr. Mitchell has taught at the Ivy League dental school for over three decades. He has made significant research contributions regarding the oral manifestations of HIV, particularly among patients from underserved populations. He also has served in senior university administrative roles since 2014, focusing on faculty advancement and development.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Fleming held prominent leadership roles with several museums centered on African American history, including the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The appointments are Lassiter Speller at Eastern New Mexico University, Karl Thompson at Howard University, Tracie Kirkland at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Ebenezer Tackey-Otoo at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Sinkford was the first woman to ever lead a dental school in the United States, serving as dean of her alma mater, the College of Dentistry at Howard University, from 1975 to 1991.

“This program opens new pathways for discovery, equity, and leadership in medicine and research,” said Dana Williams, dean of the Howard University Graduate School. “The cross-disciplinary work of our students will shape the next generation of physician-scientists and biomedical innovators.”

The appointments are Stephanie Boddie at Baylor University in Texas, Marie Johns at Howard University in Washington, D.C., King Britt at the University of California, San Diego, Del Wright, Jr. at Louisiana State University, and Ibraheem Karaye at Hofstra University in New York.

For the nineteenth consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has named Spelman College in Atlanta the best HBCU in the country. Howard University was second, Morehouse College was third, Tuskegee University was fourth, and Florida A&M University was fifth. These five institutions have topped the magazine's annual list for three years in a row.

“We can’t succeed in a new era with yesterday’s playbook,” says Dr. McCrary. “The National Science Board supports President Trump’s aspiration for Golden Age of American Innovation and will continue to work in partnership with the White House, the Congress, and leaders across business, academia, national security, and state sectors...”

“Voice assistant technology should understand different dialects of all African American English to truly serve not just African Americans, but other persons who speak these unique dialects,” said Gloria Washington, associate professor at Howard University. “It's about time that we provide the best experience for all users of these technologies.”

Although no HBCUs were included in a new LinkedIn report regarding the top colleges for alumni career outcomes, the networking website released a supplemental ranking list of the top HBCUs for long-term career success, with Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College receiving the best evaluations.

Ben Vinson III has retired from the presidency of Howard University after just two years in the role. His predecessor, Wayne A. I. Frederick, has been selected to serve as interim president while the HBCU searches for its next permanent leader.

For the past four years, Dr. Ed Baptist at Cornell University has led a project dedicated to collecting and digitizing tens of thousands of advertisements listed before 1865 by slaveowners seeking to locate runaway slaves. Now, the National Endowment for the Humanities has issued a stop-work order on the project, preventing Dr. Baptist and his team from preserving an important piece of U.S. history.

Dr. Dixon has had a pioneering career in pediatric surgery and academic medicine. In 2004, she became the first Black woman in the United States to become board-certified in pediatric surgery. For the past three years, she has served as the first Black woman dean of the Howard University College of Medicine.

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

With decades of experience in hospital administration, Dr. Watson most recently served as interim CEO of the University of Florida Health St. Johns. His new appointment marks a return to Howard University Hospital, where he served in various administrative roles for 10 years.

“Loneliness is undeniably damaging, but we were struck by the resilience we observed among minority communities,” said lead author Dr. Oluwasegun Akinyemi of Howard University. “It points to cultural strengths and social ties that may help protect mental health, even when people feel disconnected.”

The new deans are Mary McGriff at New Jersey City University, Vaughn Crichlow at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, Kimberly Jones at Howard University in Washington, D.C., RoSusan Bartee at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, and Kwamie Dunbar at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.