After seven years at Howard, Tashni-Ann Dubroy, former executive vice president and chief operating officer, retired.
In a Nov. 8 email sent by the Office of University Communications, President Ben Vinson III, officially announced Dubroy’s retirement with “deep respect, honor and admiration.” She officially retired on Dec. 31.
Vinson described Dubroy as a “visionary.” He praised her for her work and the relationships she has fostered across the Howard community.
In the email, Vinson went on to list several of Dubroy’s notable achievements: her leadership in enrollment growth and retention, infrastructure enhancements, commitment to sustainability, transformation of human resources, public safety and auxiliary services innovations and more.
The email said Dubroy led strategies that raised enrollment from approximately 8,500 to 15,000 students, elevated first year retention rates to 96 percent, increased net tuition revenue by 400 percent, and increased auxiliary services revenue by 60 percent.
With her leadership, Vinson said Howard was able to renovate recreational facilities, residence halls and academic buildings.
Projects Dubroy facilitated also include her work on the combined heat and power plant, Howard’s solar energy initiative, the integration of advanced emergency protocols, improved campus lighting and smart surveillance.
“Her achievements have garnered recognition, including her selection as one of the Washington Business Journal’s ‘Women Who Mean Business’ in 2021, and in 2024, she made history as the first Black woman to chair the Board of Directors for the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO),” Vinson said in the email.
Vinson also said Dubroy worked as a mentor who showed genuine investment in others’ potential and gave career development guidance and support.
Following this announcement, another email was sent out on Nov. 12 to state that Rashad Young, former chief strategy officer at Howard, will “assume the role of senior vice president for administration and chief administration officer.”
In honor of Dubroy’s retirement, a reception was held on Dec. 11. The event was held to celebrate her journey at Howard and recognize the legacy she left on the university.
On her LinkedIn, Dubroy left a statement announcing her retirement.
“After seven transformative and fulfilling years, I am bidding adieu to Howard University,” Dubroy said in her post.
She expressed her gratitude to the students, alumni, faculty and staff who helped her along the way during her time at Howard. She also emphasized her hopes for the future of the school, explaining that she wishes for her work to be able to support the university for many more years, even after her leave.
“Leading the infrastructure transformation of this university has been one of the greatest responsibilities and joys of my career. Together, we have built, renovated and strengthened the very framework that supports our students’ dreams and our community’s growth,” she said.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
