Biography

Bruce A. Jones, Ph.D. is currently a Professor of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences at Howard University. 

Between 2018 and 2025, he served as the Senior Vice President for Research at Howard University. In this administrative role, he established the Office of Research at Howard University and ultimately led the University to R1 (Research One) status in February 2025.

Howard Magazine, Winter/Spring 2025, Office of University Communications

“Howard’s Office of Research Provides Muscle to Actualize Howard’s Research Potential”

https://magazine.howard.edu/stories/howards-office-of-research-provides-muscle-to-actualize-howards-research-potential

NBC News4 News Video, Washington, D.C., Fall 2024

“Howard Works to Regain Prestigious R-1 Status”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9fZXoT600M

Prior to his administrative role at Howard, he served as the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and (Interim) Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Houston. In this role, on behalf of the President and Provost, he oversaw initiatives that led to the establishment of new degree and certificate programs and newly established Colleges, such as the University of Houston, College of Medicine; the University of Houston, Kathrine G. McGovern, College of the Arts; the University of Houston, Hobby School of Public Affairs, and the development, launch and expansion of the University of Houston main campus to Sugar Land, Texas.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Jones has held two Endowed Faculty Chairs. As a Professor at the University of Missouri, he held the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurial Education and at the University of South Florida, he held the David C. Anchin Endowed Chair of Education and Innovation.

The research foci of Dr. Jones include: Leadership and public policy in higher education and K12 education; The politics and sociopolitical history of community development; Studies in community development, and Institutional assessment and program evaluation in community development, education and the non-profit sector.

Dr. Jones holds a BA in psychology from Adelphi University; MA in Politics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University; MPhil in Political Science from Columbia University; and Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University.