About Dr. Cedric Howard
Higher Education Thought Leader, Leadership Strategist & Financial Empowerment Advocate
30+ years Higher education leadership2018 NASPA award Scott Goodnight Award recipient2025 book award International Impact Award for Finance2019 NASPA award Pillar of the Profession
Dr. Cedric B. Howard is a distinguished leader in higher education with over 30 years of experience shaping institutions, driving student success, and mentoring future leaders. As a first-generation college graduate, his passion for education is deeply personal—he understands firsthand the power of higher education to break cycles of poverty and create lasting impact. He has held senior administrative roles, spearheading strategic enrollment initiatives and student development programs that have significantly increased access and success for students nationwide.
Now at a pivotal moment in his career, Dr. Howard is stepping beyond the academy to amplify his voice as a thought leader in higher education, leadership development, and financial empowerment. He speaks on the evolving role of higher education in society, the intersection of policy and student outcomes, and the need for institutions to foster inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking leadership. He also explores broader leadership themes, helping professionals across industries navigate high-stakes decision-making, emotional intelligence, and personal growth.
Dr. Howard is the author of Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wealth and Financial Independence, a book inspired by a curriculum he designed to help families begin financial planning as early as middle school. His upcoming book expands on these themes, merging faith and finance to provide a unique framework for financial empowerment.
As a podcast guest, Dr.