Life at Howard University: A Legacy of Excellence and Community

Howard University, nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., offers an unparalleled college experience where students stand on the shoulders of giants and thrive in a close-knit Bison community. With a rich history of shaping Black leaders and a vibrant campus life, Howard provides an environment where scholars can flourish intellectually and emotionally.

Strategic Location in the Nation's Capital

Washington, D.C., is an exciting and strategic location for students. The nation’s capital offers a diverse population, multicultural atmosphere, array of historic landmarks, and many venues for soaking up arts and entertainment. Being the home of the White House and host to 176 diplomatic missions, the city is the heartbeat of the United States.

The District of Columbia is surrounded by Maryland to the northwest, north, northeast, east and southeast and Virginia to the south, southwest and west. As a result of Howard's location, numerous internship opportunities are available to students in the Washington metropolitan area, across virtually all fields and disciplines. Howard University’s Office of Career Services helps to equip students with the requisite tools to successfully matriculate, and embark upon a career search campaign with skill and confidence.

D.C.’s food culture is a mixture of everyone else’s, but there are some noteworthy distinctions. There are a plethora of museums to visit such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of African Art, and the National Gallery of Art. There is always something to do in DC. Whether you are interested in the museums, public parks, book tours, concerts, restaurants etc., there is something here to pique everyone’s interests.

A Thriving Bison Community

Howard is one of those places where the possibilities are endless. There's always something to do, a cause to support, and an event to attend. The university sits on 256 acres across DC and Maryland, with historic and modern buildings, green spaces, and athletic facilities. Howard students come from diverse backgrounds and cultures and are known for their strong academics, vibrant campus life, and influential alumni. The environment at Howard University is very diverse. It’s where students from all races come together to learn, grow, and make a difference. The campus is filled with energy and a strong sense of community. The university also hosts various events, performances, and guest speakers throughout the year, creating a lively atmosphere.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

Student Organizations and Clubs

A cornerstone of campus life at Howard University is the wide array of student organizations and clubs. These groups provide students with opportunities to connect with peers who share similar interests, develop leadership skills, and engage in activities that enrich their college experience.

Geographical Clubs: These clubs encourage social cohesiveness among students from the same geographical locality, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
School and Department Clubs: These clubs provide useful opportunities and leadership experiences for students in their respective fields, allowing them to network and gain practical knowledge.
Sports Clubs: These clubs have been established to provide students, faculty, and staff with an opportunity to further their athletic skills, and through competitive intramural and intercollegiate programs, achieve excellence. Also, through planned activities, the clubs introduce the sport to the Howard community and extend professional guidance in establishing the highest standards of participation, instruction, and conduct.

Greek Life

Greek-letter organizations are a positive way to form life-long friendships, build a dynamic network, and engage in leadership experiences. Greek-letter organizations provide students with academic support, opportunities to engage in community service projects, and promote personal growth and development.

Honor Societies

Honor societies have been established in our schools and colleges to recognize and perpetuate excellence in various disciplines. Organized for educational purposes, these organizations aim to promote scholarship and research, encourage a high standard of character, and conduct and recognize a high attainment of practice in related fields.

Student Government

Our student government actively promotes student activities, Society of Biblical Literature/American Academy of Religion involvement, and Washington Theological Consortium interactions. These student officers represent the concerns of their fellow students in concert with students from the other 12 schools and colleges of Howard University to the Deans, Administrative staff and university officials.

Safety and Well-being

Howard University prioritizes the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. The university has implemented various measures to ensure a safe and productive environment for all members of the community.

Safety Measures

The university encourages all students faculty and staff to attend the Annual Safety Fair. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to follow the guidance below to help foster a safe and productive environment:

Make safe choices and steer clear of situations, activities or events that could result in adverse encounters with law enforcement personnel.
Carry identification at all times. Ensure that your Howard University ID and other forms of identification are readily accessible.
If you drive a vehicle, take precautions to adhere to speed limits and ensure your vehicle tags, registration, and license are current and in the vehicle.
Follow instructions from law enforcement personnel. If you find yourself in the presence of law enforcement personnel, take care to respond peacefully, respectfully, responsibly, and safely.
If you encounter protests or disruptions, cooperate with directions from safety officials.
Become familiar with the University’s recommendations on how to respond if you encounter ICE officials.

Safety Tips from Howard University’s Department of Public Safety:

Use your POM Safety Device. This device provides direct access to our campus safety officials in case of an incident and public safety and medical emergencies. Remember to keep it charged. Don’t have a POM? Pick up a free POM handheld safety device at the Howard University Service Center or at the Annual Safety Fair.
Report emergencies and suspicious activity or individuals to the Howard University Department of Public Safety (HUPDS) at 202-806-1100 or call 911. Program these numbers into your cell phone.
Download the Bison SAFE App. Download Bison SAFE to receive emergency alerts, safety updates, and resources directly on your phone.
Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid dark and isolated areas. Pay attention to those approaching you. Avoid wearing headphones or being distracted by talking on the phone. Keep your distance from people you don’t know and note those who act suspiciously. It doesn’t hurt to simply cross the street.
Be aware while wearing or carrying expensive items. Consider leaving expensive items at home or in safe spaces. If you park a car, avoid leaving personal or expensive items in plain view.
Stay connected by establishing a safety plan and sharing your location with your friends and family. Check in with family and friends before and after leaving campus by ensuring they know your whereabouts and how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

The university provides emotional and mental health support. Resources are available to help.

Housing and Accommodation

Howard University offers a variety of housing options for its students. 80% of First-Years are in College Housing.

Apartments For Single Students
Coed Housing
Men's Housing
Special Housing For Disabled Students
Women's Housing

The Average Housing Cost is $18,982 per year.

Notable Alumni

Howard University boasts a prestigious list of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. These individuals serve as role models for current students and embody the university's motto of "Veritas et Utilitas" (Truth and Service).

Dr. Patricia Bath (Class of 1968): An ophthalmologist, inventor, researcher, and humanitarian, Dr. Bath was a pioneer in her field and dedicated to bringing ophthalmic health services to underserved communities. She invented the Laserphaco Probe, a surgical tool that uses lasers to treat cataracts with less pain and more precision than previous treatments.
Beth Brown, Ph.D. (Class of 1991): An astrophysicist and educator, Brown studied elliptical galaxies and worked on multiple outreach projects. She was passionate about helping minorities to succeed in physics.
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Class of 1973): A lawyer, orator, and advocate, Cummings worked throughout his lifetime to preserve American democracy. He was a powerful voice against voter suppression.
David Norman Dinkins (Class of 1950): An American politician, lawyer, and author, Dinkins became the first African American Mayor of the New York City, from 1990 to 1993.
Vice President Kamala D. Harris (Class of 1986): Harris refers to her time at Howard as her “formative years” where she first was introduced to her love of politics. Harris is the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to run for vice president on a major party ticket in the United States. She was inaugurated as Vice President of the United States on January 20th, 2021.
Taraji P. Henson (Class of 1995): An Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, and mental health advocate.
Zora Neale Hurston (Class of 1920): Considered one of the foremost female writers of the 20th century. She was an active student and participated in student government. She also co-founded the school’s renowned newspaper, The Hilltop.
Kwame Ture (formerly Stokely Carmichael) (Class of 1964): A civil rights activist, writer, and orator known as a lead figure within the Pan-African and Black nationalist movements, and for coining the slogan, “Black power.”

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