Muriel A. Howard
Muriel A. Howard | |
|---|---|
| President, Buffalo State College | |
| In office 1996–2009 | |
| Preceded by | F.C. Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Aaron Podolefsky |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wilson, North Carolina[1] |
| Spouse | Albert "Mickey" Howard |
| Alma mater | University at Buffalo, Richmond College |
| Profession | Higher education, Academic administration |
_Howard_at_University_of_Buffalo_Football_Game,_1992_(3).jpg)
Muriel A. Howard is the President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in Washington, D.C., and served as the seventh president of Buffalo State College in the State University of New York (SUNY) system from 1996 to 2009.[2][3][4][5] Prior to her presidency at Buffalo State College, she was the vice president for public service and urban affairs at the SUNY educational institution, the University at Buffalo, where she worked for 23 years.[2][3][4] Howard was educated at public universities in New York State, as well as at Harvard University.[1][3] Howard has been a leader and member of many corporate boards of directors; and councils and committees in higher education and city government.[1][3] Further, she has been the recipient of many awards and honors throughout her career.[1][3]
Early life
Howard was born in Wilson, North Carolina,[4] but lived some of her later childhood, and youth, in Queens, New York.[1] She moved to Buffalo, New York when she became a student at the University at Buffalo.[1]
Education and honorary degrees
She received her bachelor of arts in sociology from Richmond College, City University of New York;[4] her master's of education and doctorate in educational organization, administration, and policy from the University at Buffalo,[4].
Howard has received six honorary degrees,[3] including:
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire, August 2010;[6]
- Doctor of Humane Letters, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, May 2010;[7]
- Doctor of Humane Letters, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana, May 2010;[8] and
- Doctor of Humane Letters, New York City Technical College, City University of New York, May 2002.
Academic interests
Howard's professional and scholarly interests include the support of education; educational leadership; and the representation of women and minorities in both the academy and public service.[1][3]
Presidency at Buffalo State College
As the leader of Buffalo State College, Howard headed a campus of more than 11,000 students; approximately 1,700 faculty and staff; and a financial operation of more than $214 million.[3]
Of Howard, former New York State Assembly Member Sam Hoyt said of her in the December 12, 1995 city edition of The Buffalo News:
- I think she's a terrific choice [to head Buffalo State College]. Muriel Moore [Howard] has shown incredible leadership.[4]
Howard’s community involvement included membership on the executive committee for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Niagara University Board of Directors, Buffalo Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, and the King Urban Life Center Board of Directors. She also served on the corporate board of directors for the Farm Credit of Western New York, ACA; and continues to serve on the Merchants Insurance Company Board.[3]
She was a member of the State University of New York (SUNY) Advisory Council on Teacher Education and served on the SUNY Board of Directors of the Center for Russia. She co-chaired the State University of New York Provost's Advisory Task Force on General Education, establishing guidelines for the institution of a general education curricula throughout the SUNY system, and was a member of the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Leadership.
Howard was a member of the Erie Community College Board of Trustees search committee. She also served on the search committee for the Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent, and as co-chair for the City of Buffalo Mayoral Transition Team.
In 1999, President Howard chaired the United Way campaign for Buffalo and Erie County.[1] She served on the board of directors of that organization, including as chair.[1] She has also chaired the subcommittee on Youth Services and Education for the Erie County Executive’s transition team.
Howard is a former chair of the AASCU Board of Directors. She serves on the National Survey on Student Engagement Advisory Board, the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Board of Directors, where she chairs the Communications and Public Relations Committee and the American Council on Education (ACE).
Howard also participated in talks with the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, the Buffalo Mayor's Office, and others regarding usage expansion for the psychiatric center.[9] Buffalo State College has occupied Buffalo Psychiatric Center lands since the 1960s; and phases of expansion have occurred in recent years that have revitalized and refurbished parts of the facility, including the Richardson Olmsted Complex,[10] for different uses.[9]
Awards and recognition
Howard received the Governor's New York State Division of Women Award for Excellence in Education;[1] Citation Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice; American Jewish Committee Institute of Human Relations Award; and the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award;[1] She also received the Staten Island College Distinguished Alumna Award, the Black Educators Association of Western New York Educator of the Year Award; and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York Award for Community Service.[1]
Further, Howard received the SUNY at Buffalo, Newman Center, Catholic Campus Ministry, Distinguished Alumnus Award.[1] She is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service,[1][4] and was a charter inductee in the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame.
Howard was listed in the Buffalo News 2001 Leadership Survey as the “Most Powerful Woman in Western New York.” In April 2006, she received the Outstanding Alumni Community Leadership Medal from the University at Buffalo Alumni Association. She was also the recipient of the 2006 Athena Award. This award, sponsored by the Western New York Women’s Fund and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, honors women professionals who have attained and personify the highest levels of professional excellence, demonstrate support for the goals of women professionals, and provide significant and selfless assistance on their behalf.
Buffalo State College instituted the Muriel A. Howard All College Honors Program in 2013 in her honor.[11]
Presidency of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
In 2009, it was announced that Howard would be leaving Buffalo State College to become the President of the AASCU in Washington, DC.[12] Since August 2009, she has served in that capacity.[3] She is the first African-American and first woman to be President of the organization.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The inauguration of Muriel A. Moore, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY: Buffalo State College, Public Affairs, 25 October 1996.
- ^ a b History: College presidents: Muriel A. Howard, Buffalo State College: The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 2013, accessdate=11 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k About us: President's bio: Muriel A. Howard, Ph.D., AASCU - American Association of Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, 2013, Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Vice president at UB will head Buffalo State, Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, 12 December 1995, Brady, K., Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ Muriel A. Howard - working for a better community, Living Prime Time, December 2000, Binder, J., Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Students applauded, honorary degree and granite state award presented at Keene State College convocation, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire, 31 August 2010, Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ College recognizes student achievement at 34th commencement, Csi Today: College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, 1 June 2010, Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ Dr. Muriel Howard inspires Spring graduates, Grambling State University: In focus, Issue 2, Vol. 1, Grambling, LA, June 2010, Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ a b Archives: Architecture: A towering masterpiece: H.H. Richardson's Buffalo State Hospital, Buffalo Spree, Buffalo, NY, March/April 2000, Kowsky, F.R., Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ Hoyt proposes civic panel for Richardson site, Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, 22 January 2004, Sommer, M., Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ Buffalo State College announces the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program, AASCU, Washington, DC, 15 May 2013, Soepangkat, I., Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ Eleventh annual student research and creativity celebration, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY, 1 May 2009, Singer, J.K., Retrieved 13 December 2013.