Washington, D.C., July 24, 2025
News Summary
Howard University has appointed Keyana Scales, Ed.D., as the new Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, effective August 1, 2025. Scales brings extensive experience in higher education and is expected to address critical challenges related to student recruitment and retention. Key challenges facing the university include rising education costs and improving communication within the financial aid office. Her appointment is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the student experience and increasing enrollment diversity at the university.
Washington, D.C. – Howard University Appoints Keyana Scales as New Vice President of Enrollment Management
Howard University has announced the appointment of Keyana Scales, Ed.D., as the new Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, starting on August 1, 2025. Scales is tasked with addressing ongoing challenges related to student recruitment and retention, which have become critical issues for the university.
With a strong background in higher education, Scales brings valuable experience to the role. She holds a doctoral degree in education and previously served as the senior vice president at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, where she specialized in enrollment and donor management strategies. Furthermore, her prior position as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Xavier University of Louisiana involved improving recruitment efforts and developing strategies to aid financially disadvantaged students. Scales also has experience as the Director of Admissions at North Carolina A&T State University.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time when many students at Howard express uncertainty about continuing their education, largely due to rising costs and inadequate communication from the financial aid office. Incoming freshman Tamia Akers highlighted issues surrounding Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which caps Parent PLUS Loans, complicating financing options for students.
Scales has communicated her commitment to the transformative potential of education, emphasizing the need to create supportive pathways for students throughout their academic journey at Howard University. To this end, she will collaborate closely with Howard’s President, Dr. Ben Vinson III, to strategize on improving student experiences from recruitment through graduation.
Currently, Howard University is grappling with enrollment challenges that stem from increasing costs and declining engagement from the financial aid office. Notably, Black males constitute only 19% of the university’s student population, raising concerns about diversity and representation. To combat this trend, initiatives such as Kings of Campus Day aim to inspire young Black boys from local communities to pursue higher education.
Nationally, there has been a disturbing trend concerning the declining enrollment of Black men in HBCUs, attributed to insufficient K-12 preparation and financial obstacles. As Howard anticipates exceeding 15,000 total student enrollment by 2030, current numbers stand at approximately 13,500. This increase has led to challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and scheduling conflicts, which have been highlighted in complaints from both students and faculty.
Students have voiced frustrations over the growing reliance on virtual classes, expressing a desire for more in-person interactions, especially as they return to a more traditional learning environment. Additionally, communication between university administration and students/faculty has faced criticism for being insufficient amid the significant enrollment growth. Howard University is eager to address these concerns while maintaining its reputation for producing successful graduates.
Key Details of Keyana Scales’ Appointment
- Position: Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success
- Start Date: August 1, 2025
- Education: Doctoral degree in education
- Previous Roles: Senior Vice President at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Xavier University of Louisiana, Director of Admissions at North Carolina A&T State University
Challenges Faced by Howard University
- Increasing costs of education
- Poor communication from financial aid office
- Enrollment of Black males constituting only 19% of the student body
- Concerns over classroom overcrowding and resource availability
- Transitioning student expectations from online to in-person learning
Conclusion
The appointment of Keyana Scales is a significant step for Howard University as it aims to enhance the student experience and tackle ongoing recruitment and retention challenges. Her experience and commitment to education could pave the way for more students to successfully navigate their path through higher education.
FAQ Section
What is the main role of the Vice President of Enrollment Management?
The Vice President of Enrollment Management is responsible for overseeing student recruitment and retention strategies, ensuring that students receive support throughout their academic journey.
What challenges is Howard University currently facing regarding enrollment?
Howard University is dealing with issues such as rising education costs, poor communication in financial aid, classroom overcrowding, and a lack of resources, impacting student experiences.
How does the appointment of Keyana Scales impact the university?
Keyana Scales’ appointment aims to bring effective strategies to Howard University to improve student retention and attraction, addressing current challenges to enhance the educational experience.
What initiatives are in place to improve enrollment of Black males at Howard?
Programs such as Kings of Campus Day are designed to encourage young Black boys from local areas to consider higher education, aiming to increase representation at HBCUs like Howard.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| New VP Appointment | Keyana Scales appointed as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success. |
| Objectives | Aiming to improve student retention and communication regarding financial aid. |
| Enrollment Challenges | Facing rising costs, classroom overcrowding, and declining enrollment of Black males. |
| Future Goals | To exceed 15,000 total enrollment by 2030 while maintaining educational quality. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Black Enterprise: Howard University Appoints VP of Enrollment
- NBC Washington: Reverse Declining Black Male Enrollment at HBCUs
- The Hilltop: Record Enrollment Takes a Toll on Howard Educational Experience
- The New York Times: Black Men and Enrollment Challenges
- Wikipedia: Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
