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Ayanna Howard, Ph.D.

Spelman College's 12th President

Dr. Ayanna Howard is a renowned roboticist, artificial intelligence pioneer, entrepreneur and higher education leader who will serve as the 12th president of Spelman College, the nation's top-ranked Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

Widely recognized for her contributions to robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered technology, Dr. Howard has spent her career advancing innovation while expanding opportunities for future generations of students, researchers, and leaders. Her work spans academia, government, industry, and entrepreneurship, positioning her as a leading voice on the intersection of technology, education, and societal impact.

Dr. Howard served as dean of The Ohio State University College of Engineering, one of the largest engineering colleges in the nation, where she oversaw strategic initiatives focused on student success, research excellence, innovation and workforce development. Prior to working at Ohio State, she served as chair of the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology and founded the Human-Automation Systems Lab, a research group focused on developing intelligent systems that enhance the capabilities of humans and machines. 

Howard began her career at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she held multiple leadership and research positions, including senior robotics researcher and deputy manager in the Office of the Chief Scientist. Her work contributed to the development of autonomous robotic systems and next-generation technologies designed to operate in complex and challenging environments.

A passionate advocate for expanding access to STEM education and leadership opportunities, Howard co-founded Zyrobotics, a company focused on creating educational and therapeutic technologies for children with special needs, and is a co-founder of Black in Robotics, an organization dedicated to increasing representation and opportunity within the robotics profession.

Dr. Howard will assume her duties as president on Aug. 1, 2026.

 

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