Lillie P. Howard
Montgomery County (1949 – )
2007 Women's Hall of Fame Inductee -- Education

An educator, administrator, scholar and author, Ms. Howard, the founding dean of Wright State University's University College, has devoted her life to helping young people secure a better future.

Nominated by David R. Hopkins
President, Wright State University

Educator, administrator, scholar and author, Dr. Lillie P. Howard has devoted her life to helping young people secure a better future. Regarded as a leader in higher education, Howard has served at the highest levels of academic administration through five of Wright State University’s six presidents.

Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Dr. Howard, inspired by her teacher-aunt and encouraged by her family, earned a B.A. in English from the University of South Alabama and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Howard came to Dayton, Ohio, as an Assistant Professor of English at Wright State University (WSU). She was promoted to Associate and Full Professor, and to Assistant Dean and then Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts. In 1987, Howard was appointed Assistant Vice President, becoming part of the university’s top administration where she remains today as Sr. Vice President for Curriculum and Instruction.

Dr. Howard was the founding dean of WSU’s University College, the portal of access for virtually all undergraduate students at Wright State, and she leads the Division of Academic Affairs/Curriculum and Instruction which includes WSU’s faculty and student academic support centers and programs, many of which were originally established or, have reached levels of excellence as a result of her vision, support, and direction. Among them are: the Bolinga Black Cultural Resource Center, the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center, the Women’s Center, the University Honors Program, Pre-College Programs, Army and Air Force ROTC, and the Center for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Howard also has responsibility for university-wide academic programs, including General Education, Writing Across the Curriculum, and Service Learning.

Dr. Howard has received many awards including the 2005 “Who’s Who in Humanities in Higher Education.” She was named one of the top ten African American women in the Greater Miami Valley in 2002, and in 2003 was inducted into the National Consortium of Doctors, LTD.

Lillie Howard has established and championed programs and “centers” that promote diversity and provide educational access and strong academic support to students, helping them reach their full potential. She is the mother of two children, Benjamin and Kimberly Kendricks.