Howard University President Ben Vinson III
Howard University President Ben Vinson III, PhD speaks during an an election night event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at Howard University on November 05, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 22, 2025) — Howard University President Ben Vinson III announced his resignation effective Aug. 31, 2025, following student protests over housing shortages and billing errors. He served as the university's 18th president for nearly two years, having assumed the role in September 2023.

In a statement, Vinson expressed gratitude for his tenure: "It has been an honor to serve Howard. At this point, I will be taking some time to be with my family and continue my research activities. I look forward to using my experiences as president to continue to serve higher education in the future."

The university's Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Howard alumnus and 17th president, as interim president, effective Sept. 1.

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick
Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick speaks at the Director of National Intelligence headquarters. PrettyPenny18/wiki commons

Student activists, notably from the group Whose Howard Is It?, had criticized the administration for unresolved billing discrepancies and inadequate housing for upperclassmen. These issues intensified after a billing system transition led to account errors affecting thousands of students.

Frederick, a practicing surgeon and professor of surgery at Howard University College of Medicine, previously served as president from 2017 to 2023. His prior tenure was marked by increased donations and funding, though it also faced criticism over responses to student protests regarding housing and faculty pay.

Topics Howard University