Jahad Chris Carter, the host of Hopeless Romantic Society, visited Howard’s homecoming to interview students about their dating experiences at the University. Students have since discussed the dating scene on campus on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Some students feel the Howard love story is an imaginary tale they will never experience. For others, this tale has become a reality.
The Hilltop reached out to one of the participants in the video for comment but received no response.
Jasmine Jones, a senior psychology major with a chemistry minor from Olney, Maryland, hails from a legacy of Howard graduates. Her parents, Anne and Jasper Jones, began their romance in 1985. Introduced through a clever matchmaking maneuver by friends, their connection not only survived the challenges of college life but flourished into a lasting relationship. This journey led them to exchange vows in the Howard Divinity School chapel at ages 26 and 27.
Reflecting on her parents’ experience, Jones expressed optimism and uncertainty about her romantic prospects.
“I think they lucked out and found their perfect match, which is why their love story is so cute. I don’t know if it’s going to happen to me. I mean, I’m hopeful, but at the same time, men of this generation are not like the men of the eighties,” she said.
Junior advertising major Ji’ell Flowers stated that she believes the Howard love story isn’t achievable due to the ever-changing world of social media.
“I think our generation does not understand how to have genuine relationships. Post-COVID, we added new stages to the relationship, like ‘talking.’ Also, social media changes the way that we approach relationships. We can estimate a person’s value by looking at their platform,” she said.
At HBCUs, significant gender imbalances may play a role in dating complications. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, female enrollment has been much higher than male enrollment since 1976, affecting how some students navigate romantic relationships on these campuses.
Miles Guichard is a junior TV and film major whose romance with Mijah Trene began when she held the elevator door for him in Howard Plaza Towers, East. He emphasizes that love does exist on Howard’s campus.
“I thought she was beautiful, and then she started talking, and I fell in love with her voice,” he said.
He believes dispelling the misconception requires a shift away from hookup culture and towards genuine connections. According to Miles, if everyone took the time to know each other, Howard would be a more romantic place.
According to a study by Grand Valley State University, 91 percent of college students emphasize the prevalence of hookup culture on their campuses. Whether driven by a desire to assert individuality or focus on other priorities, most students seem uninterested in relationships, anticipating that the right one will naturally unfold.
TV and film major Brock Morgan said that a girlfriend would keep him from being career-focused.
“As someone who plays football here, has been on the dean’s list every year I’ve been here and has internship experience, I already consider myself successful,” he said. “So adding a girl in the mix would have to add to that rather than slow me down or take away.”
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
