Spelman College names AI pioneer and former NASA engineer Ayanna Howard as its next president
Spelman College names AI pioneer and former NASA engineer Ayanna Howard as its next president
Publish Date: 2026-06-05 12:15:00
Source Domain: www.cbsnews.com
Certainly! Here are 6 key points from the article about the appointment of Ayanna Howard as the new president of Spelman College:
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New Leadership: Ayanna Howard, a nationally recognized AI pioneer, entrepreneur, and former NASA engineer, has been selected as the 12th president of Spelman College, succeeding interim President Rosalind Brewer.
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Expertise and Achievements: Howard is currently the dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University. She has extensive experience in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technology, with leadership roles in higher education, entrepreneurship, and government, including positions at NASA and Georgia Tech.
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Commitment to Development: Lovette Russell, chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees, emphasized Howard’s experience and commitment to leadership development, suggesting she will aid in advancing the college’s mission of preparing Black women to lead and drive change.
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Visionary Leadership: Howard expressed her honor in joining Spelman and her role in equipping students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, highlighting student-focused initiatives to make a difference.
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Co-founder Roles: Howard is also the co-founder of Zyrobotics, which develops technologies for children with special needs, and Black in Robotics, aimed at increasing representation in the robotics field. Her contributions have earned her recognition by Forbes as one of America’s Top 50 Women in Tech.
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College’s Recognition: The appointment coincides with Spelman College’s continued national recognition; it has been ranked as the nation’s top HBCU by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years and is a leading producer of Black women with doctoral degrees in STEM fields.
For more details, please refer to the original announcement from Spelman College.
