"Howard University president Ben Vinson III will step down Aug. 31, two years after assuming the role and two weeks after the start of fall classes, university officials announced Friday. Former Howard president Wayne A. I. Frederick will serve as interim president. "It has been an honor to serve Howard," Vinson said in a statement. "At this point, I will be taking some time to be with my family and continue my research activities. I look forward to using my experiences as president to continue to serve higher education in the future.""
"During his tenure, the Washington, D.C.-based HBCU became an R-1 research institution and brought on several high-profile faculty, including journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, author Ta-Nehisi Coates and historian Ibram X. Kendi. The university also hosted Kamala Harris's election night watch party. But the past year has also brought its share of challenges. In May, the Trump administration proposed cutting Howard's federal funding by $64 million in fiscal year 2026, bringing it back to its 2021 funding level. Over the summer, the administration took heat from students over surprise bills that appeared on their accounts when the university transitioned to a new student financial platform, and some students turned to crowdfunding to pay those bills."
Ben Vinson III will leave the Howard University presidency effective Aug. 31, two years after taking the position and shortly after fall classes begin. Wayne A. I. Frederick will serve as interim president while the board conducts a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Vinson said he will spend time with family and continue research activities. During his tenure, Howard attained R-1 research status and recruited high-profile faculty, and hosted a high-profile political event. The university faced funding threats, student billing issues after a new financial platform transition, and student crowdfunding to cover surprise charges.
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