Howard University President Ben Vinson Will Suddenly Step Down as President on August 31

August 27, 2025

of Howard University President's Departure Howard University's 18th President, Ben Vinson III, is unexpectedly leaving his position after serving only two years, having started on September 1, 2023. The announcement comes at an unusual time—the beginning of the academic year—as noted by Board of Trustees Chair Leslie Hale in a video message. Former Howard President Wayne A.I. Frederick will return as interim president in ten days, though the duration of his interim leadership remains unspecified.

Who is affected

Howard University students, faculty, and staff
The Howard University administration and leadership structure
Ben Vinson III, who is departing after a short tenure
Wayne A.I. Frederick, who is returning as interim president

What action is being taken

The Howard University Board of Trustees is managing the leadership transition
Wayne A.I. Frederick is returning as interim president in ten days
The Board is maintaining its commitment to Howard's mission of "excellence, truth, and service"
A campus-wide engagement tour was posted on the President's page as of August 22

Why it matters

The timing is unusual, occurring at the start of the academic year
It represents a significant leadership disruption after Vinson served only two years of his presidency
The change comes during a period when higher education is facing scrutiny and "declining faith" in its value, as Vinson himself noted in 2023
The leadership stability of one of America's most prestigious historically Black universities is affected

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond Frederick's return as interim president in ten days.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint