Howard University today announced a five-year contract extension for school president Wayne A.I. Frederick, guaranteeing his place at the nation's flagship historically black college through 2024.
Dr. Frederick, who was appointed as interim president in October 2013 and awarded as the HBCU Male President of the Year in 2015, was lauded by the university board of trustees for steady leadership across multiple areas of expansion and outreach.
“President Frederick has made tremendous progress in forwarding Howard’s goals and the mission of the university. We are confident that this positive and exciting momentum will continue,” said Vice Chair Mark Mason. “It was incredibly important to the Board that we take a long-term approach and avoid the instability of leadership that seems to be an unfortunate trend today in higher education. Howard deserves a strategic leader and we have that in President Frederick.”
Officials cited historic gains in fundraising and academic profile building over Dr. Frederick's tenure, including a record-breaking $1.2 million Charter Day event fundraising mark, operational surpluses exceeding $11 million over the last five years and a turnaround for the school's embattled hospital.
The Howard alumnus who has also served as a national voice on issues such as college affordability and workforce diversity was also credited with the historic establishment of Howard West, a computer science learning and professional development extension located at Google's Silicon Valley-based campus.
He faced criticism earlier this year for outreach to the Trump Administration, and specifically hosting US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. A select number of faculty and students publicized grievances with the administration that same month, but concerns have subsided following public backing of Dr. Frederick's leadership from the board.
Dr. Frederick expressed gratitude for the board's confidence.
“I am thrilled and honored to continue to serve as President of Howard University, my alma mater and a place so special to me,” said Frederick. “I truly appreciate the confidence the Board of Trustees has shown in me through this extension and I can’t wait to continue working with my exceptional colleagues in the faculty and on staff to ensure the University is well positioned for continued success in the decades to come. We have made a lot of progress but there is still so much work to be done. Our students and faculty deserve the very best and I'm committed to working in concert with all members of our community, including alumni, to ensure that our alma mater is the best that higher education has to offer.”
