Q1 2021 Update

Student working at a park

When the University came together to create the Howard Forward strategic plan, we collectively set out aspirational goals and milestones that would propel an already historic University that is often the “first” or “only” institution of higher education to achieve many lofty goals into a creative, transformative and inspirational space to attract and retain the best and brightest students, faculty and staff. While the goals of the Howard Forward plan are no small feat, this challenge is one that Howard University is primed to accomplish. The five pillars that make up the strategic plan depend on the collaborative and consistent progress of each of the other pillars. In February, the University made huge progress in pillar five, “achieve financial sustainability,” through years of improved fiscal management, compliance and accountability that led two of the world’s leading economic analysis firms, Fitch and S&P Global, to revise their rating outlooks for the University from stable to positive, recognizing the exceptional strategy Howard University has executed over multiple years to increase its financial strength. 

 

The significance of this improvement underscores the University’s financial stability and potential and sets the stage for continued progress in the financing plan of the phased Central Campus Master Plan (CCMP). To execute on our multiyear campus renewal, the University’s Board of Trustees has approved issuing $500 million of bonds, including $300 million of taxable bonds in March 2022, that will be applied to completing key academic facilities to enhance the student and faculty experience. The bond funds will be used for site due diligence, programming, design, permitting, new construction and/or renovation of physical facilities. 

 

In March, we announced plans for the largest construction real estate initiative in the institution’s history, a historic investment of $785 million to build three new state-of-the-art multidisciplinary academic halls and renovate several existing facilities. This announcement supports pillar four, “improve efficiency and effectiveness,” through its prioritizing of the campus master plan and aligning renovations and new construction with academic and research priorities. Further, this announcement supports pillar one, “enhance academic excellence,” by creating new and innovative physical and virtual learning spaces with enhanced technology to support the academic enterprise. 

 

Facility investments include: 

  • Renovating the historic Myrtilla Miner Building, which sits prominently on Georgia Avenue, that will house the School of Education and the Howard University Middle School for Mathematics and Science;
  • A new state-of-the-art facility to house the Center for Arts and Communications (home of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications); 
  • A new state-of-the-art Academic Health Sciences Complex (home of the College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, and College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences); and
  • A new state-of-the-art STEM Center to house various STEM programs and disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and associated labs.

 

The projects are slated to begin this year with the renovation of the Miner Building and design of the new buildings and are expected to be completed by 2026. We are currently undertaking visioning and engagement efforts with stakeholders around campus to keep everyone abreast of these projects. If our walls could talk, they would write the scholastic history of this country. They would sing the soundtrack that is the backbone of Black history. They would debate the collective voices that make up the generations of Bison alike. And this announcement lays the foundation for the many future Bison to connect with the alumni and guests that roamed this inspirational campus. 

 

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Rashad Young

Senior Vice President

Chief Strategy Officer