Muriel A. Howard

Muriel A. Howard (b. 1947/1948) Prior to her presidency at Buffalo State College, she was the vice president for public services and urban affairs at the SUNY educational institution, the University at Buffalo, where she worked for 23 years. Howard was educated at public universities in New York State, as well as at Harvard University, Howard has been a leader and member of many corporate boards of directors; and councils and committees in higher education and city government. She moved to Buffalo, New York when she became a student at the University at Buffalo. including, in part:

Doctor of Humane Letters, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire, August 2010; Doctor of Humane Letters, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, May 2010; Doctor of Humane Letters, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana, May 2010; and Doctor of Humane Letters, New York City Technical College, City University of New York, May 2002. She was a member of UB President Bill Greiner's administrative team.

Upon being named to her position as vice president for Public Service and Urban Affairs at UB, Howard had much to share regarding her vision for UB.

In a December 2, 1992 Buffalo News article by Henry L. Davis, Howard is quoted, stating about UB upon her new appointment: We will be out there on the front lines talking to community leaders and putting together ways to help the community on issues that have to do with the future of Buffalo, whether it's health care, housing, human services, education or architecture. We have a lot of talent here, and we can apply it to public service. We want to engage the community in discussions that lead to real action. We want to begin to make a difference. If you tap the talent here in the right way, it will work and respond.

Appointment

Former New York State Assembly Member Sam Hoyt graduated from the College and the college was in his district; he shared his perspective about Howard's appointment.

Of Howard's appointment to the Buffalo State College presidency, Hoyt said of her in the December 12, 1995 city edition of The Buffalo News: I think she's a terrific choice [to head Buffalo State College]. Muriel Moore [Howard] has shown incredible leadership.

Leadership

Prior to coming to the college, Howard had little experience in interacting with faculty, however her organizational skills and ability to resolve conflicts were praised. Additionally, she was praised as a "tough administrator" who "knows the system" by former Buffalo Common Council President George K. Arthur; and it was said that she had the respect of students. The college had a reputation as a "tough place to manage," and was expected to have difficulty in attracting qualified candidates to the position of the presidency. Those three goals included "increasing recruitment and retention of students; developing strategies to address the 1996-97 budget; [and] dealing with the 'institutional climate' that has emerged." On that day, there were proclamations issued by Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello as well as Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski. Celebrations included a cake in the shape of Rockwell Hall, a champagne toast, a big band, a chorale ensemble and additional wind ensembles, fireworks, tours of campus arts centers, exhibits, and a play area for kids. In 1996, as a result of those on leave or because of resignations, there was only one permanent academic post that had remained filled at the college. For more than two years, Masiello and his team worked with NYNEX and Bell Atlantic to lay the foundation for the network, which is funded by Bell Atlantic for $1.9 million. Howard went to Costa Rica in order to inaugurate a network that connects San Jose's Lincoln School with the college, as well as Clarence Central, Grover Cleveland, and City Honors high schools. The House had been used as servant's quarters after it was first built. Buffalo State College has occupied Buffalo Psychiatric Center lands since the 1960s; and phases of expansion have occurred in recent years that have revitalized and refurbished parts of the facility, including the Richardson Olmsted Complex, for different uses. Traditionally, Follett College Stores - the largest college bookstore company in the country - held the bookstore contract at the college. In a 1998 article by FSA President Michael Paluch that appeared in The Buffalo News, Paluch stated that, as a result of the change, "Textbook prices will be higher, student wages will be lower, and the college will get substantially less construction dollars for a new store from Barnes & Noble than from the Faculty-Student Association."

In 1998, Howard attended the second conference of African-American college presidents, held in Washington, DC. The Washington Post article of June 14, 1998 by Peter S. Goodman stated that only 26 college presidents in the United States at the time were African-American, this number being reflective of the more than 1,800 colleges in America that are majority-white. Former New York State Assembly Member Sam Hoyt stated that Howard raised the college's stature both in the state and the nation. From August 2009 to January 2018, she served in that capacity.

In her interview by Sara Hebel in 2009 that was published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Howard stated regarding her leadership style: I'm definitely a consensus builder, but I'm decisive. I enjoy working collegially with other people. I enjoy watching other people excel. I believe no one today should have to work for an institution that doesn't encourage professional development. Coaching and getting feedback on your work is critical, just like it is in the classroom. Someone needs to encourage you to try something for the first time, and someone needs to give you honest feedback. It's important to work with people on defining what really are your core values. She has stated support for the Pass the Dream Act, for enhancing H1-B Visas, and for streamlining green cards. The theme of the 2013 Conference was "Building Community through Diversity: Championing Access and Equity;" and Howard's speech was titled, "Community and the 21st Century Student."

Community involvement

As chair or member of organizational boards Howard's community involvement included membership on the executive committee for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Niagara University Board of Directors,

At the Buffalo Convention Center in 1998, Howard spoke at the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, sponsored by the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Howard, in part, encouraged the 600 attendees of the breakfast to work toward achieving the ideals of King, as well as to strive to make a "racially harmonious world and a just society." In 1999, she chaired the United Way campaign for Buffalo and Erie County.

Howard was listed in the Buffalo News 2001 Leadership Survey as the "Most Powerful Woman in Western New York."

Personal life Howard has lived near Washington, DC, in Inwood, West Virginia and Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband, Albert "Mickey" Howard.