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

Spelman College has announced the appointment of Dr. Ayanna Howard as its 12th president, ushering in a new era of leadership for the nation’s top-ranked Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

The announcement was made by the college’s Board of Trustees on June 5, with Howard officially assuming the role on August 1, 2026.

A nationally recognized leader in robotics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and higher education, Howard currently serves as dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University. She also holds the prestigious Monte Ahuja Endowed Dean’s Chair and brings decades of experience spanning academia, technology, government, and innovation.

Before joining Ohio State, Howard built an impressive career that included leadership roles at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is widely known for advancing human-centered technology and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM.

“Dr. Howard is the visionary leader Spelman needs at this pivotal moment in our history,” said Lovette Russell, chair of Spelman’s Board of Trustees. “She honors Spelman’s rich legacy while bringing the bold leadership necessary to advance its future.”

Howard is the co-founder of Zyrobotics, a company focused on educational and therapeutic technologies for children with special needs, and Black in Robotics, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity and representation within the robotics industry.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the role, Howard said she is honored to join one of the nation’s most respected institutions.

“Students choose Spelman because they want to make a difference in the world, and as the world changes, we must equip them to thrive,” Howard said. “At a time when technology, the workforce, and society are evolving rapidly, Spelman’s mission has never been more important.”

Howard’s accomplishments have earned national recognition. She has authored more than 300 publications, serves on several corporate and academic boards, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors. Forbes previously recognized her among America’s Top 50 Women in Tech.

Howard succeeds interim president Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, the Spelman alumna and former Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO who has guided the institution for the past 18 months.

Brewer praised the progress made during her tenure and expressed confidence in the college’s future under Howard’s leadership. Following her interim presidency, Brewer will continue serving as co-chair of the Spelman Forward campaign, the college’s historic fundraising initiative focused on scholarships, faculty excellence, student success, and long-term sustainability.

Howard takes the helm during a period of continued national prominence for Spelman. The Atlanta-based institution has been ranked the No. 1 HBCU by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years and remains one of the nation’s leading producers of Black women earning doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.

Founded in 1881, Spelman College enrolls approximately 2,700 students and continues to serve as a global leader in educating women of African descent while preparing the next generation of innovators, scholars, and changemakers.