Spelman College Appoints Dr. Ayanna Howard as its 12th President

Spelman College has named nationally recognized artificial intelligence pioneer and former NASA engineer Dr. Ayanna Howard as its 12th president, ushering in a new era of leadership for the nation’s top-ranked HBCU. Howard will officially assume the role on Aug. 1, 2026.

Howard joins Spelman from The Ohio State University, where she serves as dean of the College of Engineering and holds the Monte Ahuja Endowed Dean’s Chair. A renowned roboticist and entrepreneur, her career has spanned higher education, industry and government, including leadership roles at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout her career, she has championed innovation and expanded opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Today, Spelman College proudly announces Dr. Ayanna Howard as its 12th President. This historic transition marks the next chapter in Spelman’s legacy of excellence, empowering future generations of Black women to lead, innovate, and shape a rapidly changing world. A pioneering… pic.twitter.com/OudnpyIOvu

— Spelman College (@SpelmanCollege) June 5, 2026

“Dr. Howard is the visionary leader Spelman needs at this pivotal moment in our history,” said Board of Trustees Chair Lovette Russell, Class of 1983. Russell said Howard’s understanding of the changing higher education landscape and commitment to developing Black women leaders made her the ideal choice to guide the college into the future.

Howard’s selection follows a national search led by the Presidential Search and Nomination Committee, which included input from trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumnae and other stakeholders.

Her appointment comes during a period of continued momentum for Spelman. The college remains focused on academic excellence, expanding access and opportunity, and investing in scholarships, faculty and student success through initiatives such as the Spelman Forward campaign, ensuring future generations of Black women are prepared to lead and make a lasting impact.

Dr. Ayanna Howard at Spelman College
Category	Details
The Appointment	Dr. Ayanna Howard has been officially named the 12th president of Spelman College.
The Background	Howard is a nationally recognized roboticist, AI pioneer, and former NASA engineer who previously served as dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University.
The Transition	She succeeds interim president and Spelman alumna Rosalind "Roz" Brewer, with her tenure officially beginning on August 1, 2026.
The Significance	The hiring of a top-tier STEM expert signals a major modernization effort for the nation's No. 1 ranked HBCU, aiming to position Spelman at the intersection of liberal arts education and high-tech innovation.
The Pedigree	Howard is the co-founder of Zyrobotics and Black in Robotics, holds over 300 publications, and was previously named to Forbes' "America's Top 50 Women in Tech."