Biography

Ben Vinson III, Ph.D., a distinguished historian, began serving as the 18th president of Howard University on September 1, 2023. An accomplished visionary leader, President Vinson guides the institution’s direction as a comprehensive, research university consisting of 14 schools and colleges; 13,000 students; 2,900 staff; and 1,200 faculty. He also serves as a tenured professor of history in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Prior to accepting the presidency at Howard, Dr. Vinson served as provost and executive vice president of Case Western Reserve University from 2018-2023. During his tenure, Dr. Vinson led the University’s “Think Big” strategic planning initiative, which received national recognition for an innovative and inclusive planning process. He was also co-principal investigator of the Humanities in Leadership Learning Series (HILLS) program, funded by a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to promote leadership development and diversity in the humanities. 

Dr. Vinson’s scholarly work centers on the African diaspora with a focus on Latin America history and culture. His latest book, Frank Etheridge: Musician of the African Diaspora, chronicles Etheridge’s experience playing in interracial orchestras and for mixed audiences while traveling abroad during America’s Jim Crow era.

As a historian and author on Latin America, he is a recipient of the 2019 Howard F. Cline Book Prize in Mexican History for his book, “Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico,” (2018). He has also co-authored and served as an editor of numerous other publications and journals.

Dr. Vinson’s prior executive administrative appoints also include serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University (2013 – 2018); Director of the International Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University (2012-2013); Vice-Dean for Centers, Interdisciplinary Programs and Graduate Education at Johns Hopkins University (2010-2013); and Director/Founding Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University (2006-2010).

He began his academic career at Barnard College in the Department of History and has since served as a faculty member at Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University, and George Washington University. He received a bachelor's degree with honors as a double major in history and classical studies from Dartmouth College and a Master of Arts, Master of Philosophy, and Ph.D., in Latin American history, with distinction, from Columbia University.

Dr. Vinson is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Antiquarian Society. He is also president-elect of the American Historical Association.

He serves on the Boards of the American Council of Education Board, Fulbright Advisory Board, National Humanities Alliance, National Humanities Center, The Council of Library and Information Resources Board of Directors, Dartmouth College Guarini School for Graduate and Advanced Studies, Advisory Board.

President Vinson is married to Yolanda Fortenberry, Ph.D. They are the proud parents of daughter Allyson and sons Ben and Brandon.