Alumnus changed family’s trajectory to serve as a role model for students   

D r. Cedric Howard, ’94, who was Georgia College & State University’s (GCSU) commencement speaker in 2017, has been named one of the “Top 10 Inspiring People in Education” by CIO Views Magazine. And all for good reason. As vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services at the University of Northern Colorado, Howard impacts the lives of students every day.

Dr. Cedric Howard
Dr. Cedric Howard

“I like my role because I'm able to change the trajectory of not just the lives of students, but their families,” Howard said. “I'm very fortunate that I've been a vice president for over 20 years. And now, I get to use the vehicle of higher education as a vessel for social mobility, and be transformative in my initial approach to support people who were like me.” 

Born and raised in the Macon, Georgia, housing projects, he was the first in his family to graduate from college. 

After his graduation ceremony, Howard’s grandmother illustrated the importance of what he had accomplished.

“This speaks to the transformative properties of GCSU,” he said. “That day at the Centennial Center, my grandmother said, ‘Cedric, I would like to have your gown.’” 

“I earned this one,” Howard said. 

“We're going to try this one more time,” she said. “I would like to have your gown.”

Howard handed her the gown. His grandmother turned to all 11 of Howard’s cousins and said, “He is the first in our family to graduate from college. It is my expectation that each of you will bring me a college graduation gown.” 

“This is the key: The knowledge belongs to you,” his grandmother said. “You went to school to get knowledge. The investment of the gown belongs to me.” 

Dr. Cedric Howard delivers a message during GCSU Commencement in 2017.
Dr. Cedric Howard delivers a message during GCSU Commencement in 2017.

Howard’s grandmother passed away in 2011. Each time the family celebrates a new college graduate, they take the graduation gown to their grandmother’s grave site and put it in a lockbox to pay respect to her and the tradition she began in June 1994. 

Today, she would’ve had 18 grandchildren—16 of them have college degrees.

Howard started this tradition at Georgia College, which played a significant role in his development. He was a senior and student body officer in Student Government Association (SGA), a resident assistant (RA), Homecoming King, charter member of Psi Chi Honor Society for Psychology, Alpha Phi Alpha, Mu Gamma Chapter president and Greek Man of the Year.

GCSU Alumni Association honored Howard in 2016 with the Ethel Rae Mozo-Stewart Award for distinguished alumni community service.

“I was fortunate that I was very active at Georgia College when I was an undergraduate. My life was on campus,” Howard said. “I was also fortunate that former GCSU President Dr. Edwin Speir Jr. and Vice President of Student Life Dr. Kurt Hofmann identified me as a potential candidate for the field of student affairs.”

“George College served as a springboard to change the trajectory of my family,” he said. “It was the impetus and conduit that transformed the expectation that prior to me, we were hoping that everyone graduated high school. Now, it’s the expectation that everyone graduates from college.” 

When people understand and accept who they are—and are true and authentic to themselves—it’s the greatest gift they can give to the world.
– Dr. Cedric Howard

Howard feels obligated to give back to his alma mater. He does so in recognition of the lessons he learned, the sense of belonging he felt and connection he continues to enjoy with Georgia College. So, Howard offers a scholarship dedicated to Georgia College students who are in financial need.

He feels fortunate that all his cousins will have college degrees, because the family made a conscious effort to fund them. 

“I’ve tried to duplicate this effort at Georgia College,” Howard said. “That really speaks to our commitment to social justice by using a social-equity lens to address the needs of our students.”

Howard credits GCSU’s psychology program with building his resiliency and teaching him how to have grit. This challenged him to be a good leader and the best version of himself. Resiliency and grit are traits he practices in his career day-in, day-out. 

“I developed these concepts at Georgia College,” he said. “I use obstacles in my life as the ability for me to see farther and higher. I learned this trait when dealing with Dr. Greg Jarvie, who taught abnormal psychology.”

Howard earned an 89.40 in his abnormal psychology class, earning him a B. He pleaded his case to Jarvie to get an A.

“I’ll give you an A, if you think you deserve it,” Jarvie said. “Just remember, the grade doesn't define you, the knowledge is the same. If you want an A, I’ll give it to you, but you earned a B.”

“That experience transformed my way of thinking to value the things I've earned,” Howard said. “It showed me I’m not just entitled to something, especially when I have fallen short of expectations. It was very clear that even if I had an 89.9, that does not necessarily mean that I met the expectations of receiving an A.”

Dr. Jarvie helped develop Howard’s moral integrity through this lesson. 

“He showed me the importance of having a moral compass to set my course and having the guidepost to realize that expectation and entitlement shouldn’t be something that’s given to me just because I felt I deserved it, but to value the things I’ve earned,” Howard said. “That conversation in abnormal psychology really changed me.” 

“When I think about GCSU’s slogan—to think independently and lead creatively—it’s embedded in everything I do,” he said. “GCSU has helped me to think and live in a way where I serve as a conduit to transform other lives.”

Through the years, he’s felt that serving other students is the reward in his profession. 

Dr. Cedric Howard mixes with students in the classroom.
Dr. Cedric Howard mixes with students in the classroom.

The most impactful student experience for him occurred in February 2000. He was the chief student affairs officer of a small liberal arts college and working on his doctoral degree. 

The homecoming king and queen were in a longstanding relationship since high school. Shortly after the crowning on Saturday night, there was a conflict, and they separated. The following Tuesday, the queen invited the king to her car to get his things. When he began to retrieve them, she pulled a gun on him and shot him three times. 

“He had enough energy to run into my office,” Howard said. “And, she ran behind him with the gun. She saw me and threw the gun down. We were able to save his life. This is when I realized the importance of being relevant and active in each student’s life.”

The trial took place about a year later. When she was asked what her intent was? She said she was going to end his life. Then, she was asked, why didn't it occur?

“I saw Dean Howard, and the disappointment in his eyes,” she said. “So, I threw down the gun and realized I had made a significant mistake.”

“That incident spoke to me of my ability and the privilege I have to affect the lives of our students in a positive manner,” Howard said. “Fast forward to 2009. He forgave her. They got married, and the couple named their first-born Cedric. I’ve kept in touch with them over the years, and they are happily married.”

The traumatic experience helped Howard realize anyone can make a decision that affects their entire life. This, in part, is why he developed the restorative sanctioning process for student conduct where students are held to a level of accountability. 

We're in the business of developing individuals to represent us, not just as students, but as global citizens who are doing good.
– Dr. Cedric Howard

“We're in the business of developing individuals to represent us, not just as students, but as global citizens who are doing good,” he said.

Howard feels honored to be named as one of the “Top 10 Inspiring People in Education” by CIO Views Magazine. He was one of hundreds of nominees for this award. He credits his mentors for shaping his trajectory. One, Dr. Paul Jahr, former housing director and assistant vice president for Student Affairs, taught him the greatest struggle you must overcome in life is the one within yourself.

“This helped me realize that I could be successful,” Howard said. “These conversations were very developmental and have had long-lasting effects within my life.”

Now, Howard has those discussions with students to give them hope for their success. 

In September, he spoke at a fall banquet for the Ronald McNair Scholars Program. To qualify for that program, applicants must be first-generation college students and come from a low-income family. Several scholars were inspired by his remarks and spoke to Howard after the program. 

“You own your truth,” one student said. “You own that you came from a home in the housing projects in Macon, Georgia. You own that college was difficult for you. You own that you didn't feel you belonged in college, but you had mentors who got you through it.”

“When I see this next generation owning their truth, that's inspiring to me,” Howard said. “It gives me courage that what we're doing is beneficial.”

“You can't use a national survey or focus group to really get that feeling,” he said. “When people understand and accept who they are—and are true and authentic to themselves—it’s the greatest gift they can give to the world.”