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EnglishWhat is Howard University and what can visitors find on howard.edu?
Updated
Howard University is a private, historically Black research institution founded in 1867, and howard.edu is its main website. The site is the place to go if you want to apply, explore academic programs, or understand what the university is currently focused on. Its stated motto, "Excellence in Truth and Service" (Veritas et Utilitas), frames how the institution presents itself across the site.
What kind of institution is Howard University?
According to the site, Howard is a private, historically Black research institution. It was founded in 1867, which places it among the older universities in the United States. The homepage describes the student body as including "scholars, student researchers, premier athletes, emerging artists, and entrepreneurs," which signals a broad mix of academic, athletic, and creative profiles rather than a single focus.
The site also highlights external recognition: LinkedIn and Forbes are cited as naming Howard the nation's #1 HBCU, and a news item dated Aug 18, 2026 references Forbes ranking Howard No. 1 on its "America's Top HBCUs" list.
What can you actually do on howard.edu?
The homepage surfaces a small number of primary actions:
- Apply – the main admissions entry point.
- Explore Programs – browse academic offerings.
- Read news and stories – student, faculty, and alumni features, plus institutional announcements.
- Follow the presidential search – see below.
Beyond these, the site functions as the university's central hub for admissions information, academic programs, news, and campus life, based on the content presented on the homepage.
Current institutional news
One active item is the search for Howard's 19th president. The Board of Trustees has launched a national search supported by Russell Reynolds Associates and a Presidential Search Committee. The site invites community input through a survey open through Friday, October 30, 2026, plus in-person and virtual listening sessions for faculty, staff, students, and alumni. If you're researching the university's direction or leadership, this is the section to watch.
Student and alumni stories
The homepage features Class of 2026 profiles, including:
| Person | Story |
|---|---|
| Shay Taylor | Moved from janitor to doctor; graduating from the College of Medicine and returning as a doctor |
| Raymond Alexander Johnson | Former football player and #1 dental school graduate, headed to a U.S. Navy oral surgery residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |
| Jadyn Decuir | Engineering major graduating with a 4.0 GPA and dance championships |
These stories illustrate the range of paths the university publicizes — medicine, dentistry, engineering, athletics, and the arts.
Who is howard.edu useful for?
- Prospective students – start with Apply and Explore Programs to understand admissions and academic options.
- Current students, faculty, and alumni – the presidential search page and news section carry institutional updates and ways to give input.
- Researchers and journalists – the news items and rankings coverage provide citable, dated announcements.
- Anyone curious about HBCUs – the site gives a direct view of how a major historically Black research institution presents its mission, students, and achievements.
What to keep in mind
The homepage is a starting point, not a complete catalog. Details like tuition, deadlines, program requirements, and login-restricted services aren't shown in the material above, so treat howard.edu as the entry point and follow the Apply or Explore Programs links for specifics. If your interest is the leadership transition, note the survey deadline of Friday, October 30, 2026, and check for the listening session schedule.