Spelman College just made a move that the entire HBCU world is talking about.
On June 5, 2026, the Spelman College Board of Trustees announced Dr. Ayanna Howard as the new Spelman College president — the 12th person to lead the nation’s top-ranked HBCU. A world-renowned roboticist, AI pioneer, entrepreneur, and former NASA engineer, Howard will officially step into the role on August 1, 2026. She succeeds Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, a Spelman alumna who has led the college for the past 18 months following the departure of President Helene Gayle in late 2024.
A Résumé Built for This Moment
Dr. Howard comes to Spelman from The Ohio State University, where she served as dean of the College of Engineering and held the Monte Ahuja Endowed Dean’s Chair. Before Ohio State, she spent 15 years at Georgia Tech in faculty and leadership roles — making her return to Atlanta feel less like a relocation and more like a homecoming.
Her academic credentials are extraordinary. Howard earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University, then completed both a master’s degree and a doctorate in engineering from the University of Southern California, followed by an MBA from Claremont Graduate University. She has authored more than 300 publications and is one of the country’s most recognized voices in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technology.
Earlier in her career, Howard worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory — one of the most competitive research environments on the planet. That experience shaped a leader who doesn’t just theorize about the future but actively builds it.
New Spelman College President Has Always Built Doors, Not Just Walked Through Them
What makes Dr. Howard’s appointment so compelling is what she has done beyond her own career.
She co-founded Zyrobotics, a company that develops educational and therapeutic technologies for children with special needs. She also co-founded Black in Robotics, an organization dedicated to increasing representation and opportunity for Black professionals in the field. Both ventures reflect a career driven by a simple but powerful belief: excellence means nothing if the doors stay closed behind you.
That belief fits Spelman’s mission perfectly. “My lifelong purpose has been to break down barriers and expand tables for more voices to be heard,” Howard said following the announcement. “Together we will work tirelessly to expand student access, reduce financial barriers, support our world-class faculty, and ensure our daughters leave these gates fully equipped to not just navigate a changing world, but to actively shape it.”
Taking Over at a Historic High
Dr. Howard steps into the presidency at an extraordinary moment for Spelman. The college has been ranked the No. 1 HBCU by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years. It holds the highest graduation rate among HBCUs, is a leading producer of Black women who go on to earn doctoral degrees in STEM fields, and ranks among the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. Spelman enrolls approximately 2,700 students and is widely recognized as a global leader in the education of women of African descent.
Interim President Roz Brewer reflected on the transition warmly. “Serving as Spelman’s interim president has been one of the most profound honors of my life, and I am proud of the momentum our community has built,” Brewer said. “I am confident Dr. Howard will continue to elevate this extraordinary institution.”
Board of Trustees Chair Lovette Russell was equally direct about what the search process demanded and what Howard delivered. “Throughout this search process, we sought a leader who would honor Spelman’s legacy while boldly advancing our future — and Dr. Howard embodies that vision. 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.”
What Comes Next
With STEM, AI, and technology reshaping every industry, bringing a leader of Dr. Howard’s caliber to the nation’s top-ranked HBCU sends a clear message: Spelman is not just keeping up with the future — it is helping define it.
August 1 cannot come soon enough. The Spelmanites already know what this means. The rest of the world is about to find out.
