Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., a distinguished historian, began serving as the 18th president of Howard University on September 1, 2023. An accomplished visionary leader, President Vinson guides the institution’s direction as a comprehensive, research university consisting of 14 schools and colleges; 13,000 students; 2,900 staff; and 1,200 faculty. He also serves as a tenured professor of history in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to accepting the presidency at Howard, Dr. Vinson served as provost and executive vice president of Case Western Reserve University from 2018-2023.
Dr. Vinson’s scholarly work centers on the African diaspora with a focus on Latin America history and culture. As an award-winning historian and author on Latin America history and culture, and co-author and editor of numerous publications and journals. His latest book project, “Frank Etheridge: Jazz Age Musician of the African Diaspora,” which he co-edited, chronicles Etheridge’s experience playing in interracial orchestras and for mixed audiences while traveling abroad during America’s Jim Crow era.
In academia, Dr. Vinson has previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University, Director of the International Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University, Vice-Dean for Centers, Interdisciplinary Programs and Graduate Education at Johns Hopkins University, and Director/Founding Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He has served as a faculty member at Barnard College, Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University, and George Washington University.
Dr. Vinson is president of the American Historical Association. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Antiquarian Society. He serves on the Boards of the American Council of Education Board, Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board, National Humanities Alliance, and National Humanities Center, among others. In 2024, Dr. Vinson was named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 list.
President Vinson is married to Yolanda Fortenberry, Ph.D. They are the proud parents of daughter Allyson and sons Ben and Brandon.
Coverage from MIT News
