Dr. Goulda Downer Receives Prestigious Howard University Award

Howard University held its inaugural Excellence in Innovation and Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony, on April 29th this year. The event is in honor of the University’s faculty who exemplify high-level scholarships, commitment to service, and visionary leadership that continues to elevate the institution.

The first award of the event, the Community Engagement Award, conferred to a member of the Howard University faculty who engages in excellent sponsored research, creative works, and service that is consistent with the University’s community mission, was awarded to Dr. Goulda Downer.  

Howard University alum, Dr. Suzanne Randolph who recommended Dr. Downer wrote, “Dr. Downer holds several academic positions and has leveraged these positions as well as her volunteer/service positions to astutely link the academic community to promote and engage the wider community in innovative approaches to address public health issues in underrepresented and vulnerable communities nationwide and globally. I am honored to nominate her for this award.”

The ceremony highlights the University’s recent Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification which was recently conferred by The American Council of Education (ACE). R1 is widely considered to be the highest research activity classification among colleges and universities in the United States and indicates “very high research spending and doctorate production.” Howard University is the only Black college or university to have achieved the R1 designation. 

* Image Descriptions:
Top Image: Dr. Goulda Downer and Howard Universiy President Dr. Ben Vinson III
Bottom Image: Excellence in Innovation and Academic Achievement Awardees