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Ben Vinson III is stepping down as the president of Howard University.
On Friday (August 22), Howard University announced that Vinson, who took office in 2023, would be stepping down from his role on August 31, just days into the start of the new academic year, per the Washington Post.
“My foremost priority has always been the well-being and success of this community, and I remain committed to ensuring a smooth and constructive transition,” Vinson said in a statement.
Vinson, a historian of the African diaspora in Latin America, came to Howard after serving as provost at Case Western Reserve University and holding leadership roles at George Washington and Johns Hopkins universities. During his two-year tenure, Howard attained Research 1 status, the highest Carnegie classification for research institutions, and brought on prominent faculty members, including Ibram X. Kendi.
Vinson declined to give a reason for his departure, but said he plans to continue his research and remain in higher education. He faced several challenges during his time as president, including a tuition billing error this summer that led to widespread student frustration and protests over potential debt collection notices.
Wayne A.I. Frederick, Vinson’s predecessor who led the HBCU for nearly a decade, will return as interim president beginning on September 1. Board of Trustees Chair Leslie D. Hale said Frederick was “uniquely equipped to serve” the university during the transition and thanked Vinson for his service.
Howard University noted that it will announce details about the search for a new permanent president at a later date.
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