Building Futures: How Howard Prepares Students for Lifelong Success

Howard University’s historic Yard with Founders Library, an enduring symbol of the university’s legacy of academic excellence. (Morgan Knight/101Mag)

As Howard University students enter another academic year, the school is celebrating national recognition for its impact beyond the classroom.

On Aug. 17, LinkedIn named Howard the No. 1 HBCU in the country for alumni career success, spotlighting the university’s strength in preparing students for the workforce through internships, mentorship and a powerful alumni network.

Faculty, staff and graduates say the honor reflects not only the accomplishments of Howard alumni across industries, but also the intentional programs and resources on campus that help students transition into thriving careers.

“Because of the resources and support that I received while at Howard, I was able to secure my first internship my junior year and first post-grad job,” said Ayalah Rose, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2025. “These experiences helped me boost my confidence and confirm who I want to be in the world.”

The Center for Career and Professional Success, which “promotes the integration of career services within the institution’s overall student success strategy,” supports Howard students and alumni with career coaching, job search tools and access to internships and employer networks, regardless of major.

Tina Knight, director of the Career Center and Professional Success, strives to ensure that students are utilizing the center for their benefit in finding jobs and internships.  

“We want to help [students] with self-exploration, discover their decision-making style and market themselves and be prepared for the job search,” Knight said. “Whether that’s mock interviews or getting their resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn together, we certainly want to help with that,” she added.

These efforts are also echoed by the professors Howard University has to offer, many of whom bring years of experience and their dedication to give back to students.

Jennifer Thomas, B.A. 1988, Director of the Annenberg Honors Program and associate professor in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film, has over 25 years of experience in broadcast journalism and credits her Howard mentors for her success.

Now entering her 13th year as a professor at her alma mater, Thomas did not foresee herself teaching and believed she was going to pursue broadcast journalism for the rest of her life. During her career, she founded MediaReady Consulting, LLC, produced live election specials for PBS’s WHUT TV, reported from the U.S.-Mexico border with the U.S. Border Patrol and was the first Black executive producer at CNN. 

Thomas credited her former professors, Dr. Lawrence Kagwa and Carol Dudley, with recruiting her and encouraging her to return to Howard to share her knowledge and experience with students. 

“I remember when I graduated, I had a big decision to make. As soon as I got the job offer, I had another offer with a well-known, nationally syndicated PBS show,” she said. “I reached out to Dr. Kagwa almost in tears, and he said, ‘Well, daughter, you said you wanted to do broadcast, and if you want to do that, you need to start on a small scale.’”

Reflecting on her own journey and the impact of Howard’s training, Thomas emphasized the university’s role in shaping both her career and the next generation of communicators. She explained how Howard equips students with the tools and confidence to thrive in any professional setting.

“Howard prepares its graduates for success,” Thomas said. “ We give them the skills, dedication, background and everything that they need to be successful; that’s what they get from Howard. And that’s what I got from Howard.”

For Spring 2024 graduate Sienna Bascus, those same lessons continue to shape her work as an Exceptional Student Education Specialist and Autism Spectrum Disorder Coach at Dillard Elementary in Broward County, Florida.

“Howard instilled in me a strong sense of advocacy and resilience. I learned to speak up for underserved communities, a value that guides my work every day in special education,” Bascus said. “I learned how to analyze challenges from multiple perspectives. That skill is vital in special education, where no two students’ needs are the same.”

Bascus also points to the broader culture at Howard as a lasting source of confidence. 

Howard’s recent recognition highlights its ongoing commitment to preparing students for success after graduation. With strong alumni networks, dedicated faculty and robust career resources, the university continues to position its graduates for impact across industries.

“At Howard, we called ourselves ‘academic weapons,’ and that wasn’t just a nickname. It was a mindset,” Bascus said. “Howard alumni enter the job market with not only knowledge, but also the confidence and resilience that come from thriving in such a competitive yet supportive environment.”