Spelman College Taps Renowned Roboticist Dr. Ayanna Howard as 12th President

ATLANTA — Spelman College has made history once again, appointing Dr. Ayanna Howard, an internationally recognized roboticist and STEM education pioneer, as the institution's 12th president. The announcement marks a transformative moment for the nation's top-ranked historically Black college and university.

Howard, who currently serves as dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University, will officially assume the presidency on August 1, 2026. She succeeds Interim President Rosalind "Roz" Brewer, who has guided the college through a remarkable period of growth and national recognition.

A Visionary Leader for a Pivotal Moment

Howard's appointment represents the convergence of academic excellence and technological innovation. Her career spans leadership roles across higher education, industry, entrepreneurship, and government, including previous work at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and faculty and leadership positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Lovette Russell, chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees, praised the selection, stating:

Dr. Howard is the visionary leader Spelman needs at this pivotal moment in our history. She understands the opportunities and challenges shaping higher education today and shares Spelman's unwavering commitment to preparing Black women to lead and drive change.

Pioneering Achievements in STEM and Innovation

Dr. Howard brings an impressive portfolio of accomplishments that underscore her commitment to innovation and expanding access to STEM education.

Her distinguished honors include:

• Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Election to the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Election to the National Academy of Inventors
• Service on the boards of Brown University, Autodesk, and Motorola Solutions
• Recognition as one of Forbes' America's Top 50 Women in Tech

With more than 300 publications to her name, Howard is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading voices in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technology.

Building on Spelman's Legacy of Excellence

Howard expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Spelman community, emphasizing the institution's critical mission in an evolving world:

I am deeply honored and excited to join Spelman College and the amazing faculty, staff, and trustees that have shaped generations of Black women. Students choose Spelman because they want to make a difference in the world, and as the world changes, we must equip them to thrive.

She added that advances in technology and shifts in the workforce make Spelman's mission even more critical, noting: "At a time when technology, the workforce, and society are evolving rapidly, Spelman's mission has never been more important."

Spelman continues to stand as a national model for academic excellence, boasting the highest graduation rate among HBCUs and ranking among the nation's leading producers of Black women who earn doctoral degrees in STEM fields. The college is currently advancing its ambitious Spelman Forward campaign, which supports scholarships, faculty excellence, student success initiatives, and long-term institutional sustainability.

Brewer, who will continue serving as co-chair of the Spelman Forward campaign, expressed confidence in the college's future under Howard's leadership, calling her time as interim president "one of the most profound honors of my life."

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.