Spelman College, a historic liberal arts institution for women, has announced Ayanna M. Howard, a roboticist and artificial intelligence expert, as its new president. This appointment is noteworthy because Spelman’s prior leadership has mainly come from fields like medicine, anthropology, and psychology.
Dr. Howard previously served as the dean of Ohio State University’s engineering college. Her selection highlights a strategic shift toward addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in the education sector. As AI continues to influence the global workforce, Dr. Howard believes that students at liberal arts institutions should actively engage with this technology. She encourages them to question the ethical implications of AI advancements.
Spelman College, which enrolls around 2,700 students and is recognized as one of the top historically Black institutions, is well-positioned to integrate AI into its curriculum. The college’s reputation for academic rigor and its smaller student body make it adaptable to curriculum changes driven by technological advancements, according to Dr. Howard.
Dr. Howard emphasized that any curriculum updates would honor the college’s history and would involve collaboration with both faculty and students. This approach aims to ensure that Spelman stays at the forefront of educational innovation while maintaining its foundational values.
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