Last month in Douglass Hall, Howard University’s College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) revived its Passport Drive Initiative in collaboration with the U.S. State Department by assisting 250 students in applying for passports.
According to a statement released by COAS, the drive, held on March 20, was an opportunity for the school to continue its mission of supporting global citizenship development and improving the growing international engagement of the university.
The passport initiative was organized by Assistant Dean Ciara J. Williams and Assistant Director D’Asia Bethea.
Williams spoke about the drive and said, “We just took a giant leap forward in fulfilling our mission to build global citizens.”
She further explained that the event brought free passport processing to 250 students in a way that directly supported Patterson’s vision.
In addition to providing travel documents, COAS is also advocating for international research opportunities with Howard’s recent accomplishment as the first and only HBCU to achieve the R1 Carnegie Classification, solidifying the university’s position as a research-intensive characterized by significant research expenditures and substantial doctoral degrees.
Associate Dean Dr. Brown Robertson said, “We see the Annual Passport Drive as an important part of developing global citizens,” and elaborated that it is a key first step for students who may want to go on faculty-led study abroad or exchange experiences.
This vision connects with Dean Dr. Rubin Patterson’s commitment to prioritizing initiatives that give students the capacity to engage in global citizenry.
COAS engages with international research universities and connects students to programs such as ones in Ghana, where students can do research travel through the International Threads program that allows them to engage in year-long research with local universities and institutions
For students involved in the drive, the impact was immediate.
Kynnedi Giles-Watkins, a sophomore psychology major, said the drive “gives students a chance to explore so many new opportunities,” adding that getting the passport was her first step toward completing her travel goals such as studying abroad.
Jadyn Hood, a sophomore sociology major, echoed similar sentiments.
“The passport drive made my study abroad dreams a reality,” Hood, who plans on going to Barcelona said. “Without the funding, it would not have been possible.”
After the successful event, COAS has planned a passport drive for the fall 2025 semester, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to expand global access and research opportunities.
Copy edited by Aniyah Genama
