The Sway | December 2025

Bison Trailblazers | Nailah Simone Dillard

by Anna De Cheke Qualls | PhD student Nailah Simone Dillard just received news that she has been awarded the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Health Policy Research Scholars Program Fellowship. With a focus on clinical and forensic psychology, she will use the funds to advance her research on health advocacy and criminal justice reform.

Hailing from Sacramento, California, Dillard was raised by two very strong servant-leader parents. In their own fields both still lead organizations, engage in advocacy and create transformative changes. Sports was also encouraged. Dillard grew up playing basketball – taking it all the way to Division 1 at Texas Tech University, and later University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Word to the Wise | Dr. Jim C. Harper, II

by India Crowe | After completing his doctoral studies in History at Howard University’s Graduate School, Dr. Jim Harper, II has fulfilled many roles including public historian, professor, and Fulbright scholar. A graduate of North Carolina Central University and Howard University’s Graduate School, he has always carried the lessons from his upbringing in Mount Olive, North Carolina as well as the wisdom of his mentors at both HBCUs.

As an established scholar of African American and African education, Harper works in addressing educational inequity through research and committed service. Currently, he co-leads a study examining obstacles faced by young men who are disconnected from education or employment in North Carolina's Research Triangle region.

Bison Trailblazers | Will Marcus Sanders

by Anna De Cheke Qualls | Growing up on the west side of Detroit, less than ten miles from downtown, Will Marcus Sanders was known as the smart kid who challenged authority. But one summer changed everything. While retaking a class in eighth grade, he received the words no child should ever hear: “Your father passed away.”

That moment became a turning point in Sanders’ life. “My dad always told me, ‘I don’t want you to be me. I want you to be better than me.’ Ever since that day, I’ve strived to be one percent better than I was the previous day," says Sanders.

Word to the Wise | Dr. Anaheed Al-Hardan

By India Crowe | While living in London, Dr. Anaheed Al-Hardan witnessed firsthand collective resistance against imperialism. She watched the city’s large-scale demonstrations against the United Kingdom’s support of the United States’ invasions, and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

As Associate Professor of Sociology in Howard University’s Department of Sociology and Criminology, Al-Hardan's research focuses on anticolonialism and resistance across the Global South with a particular eye on West Asia and North Africa. This past September, Cambridge University Press published her co-edited book, “Anticolonialism and Social Thought”, a diverse collection of essays on anticolonial thought and theory. The Sway sat down with Al-Hardan to learn more about her recent publication.

Howard's School2Lab program, a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored summer fellowship, opens doors for high school students in the DMV who are passionate about STEMM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Health. Launched in 2024 by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the initiative is part of the Howard University-Johns Hopkins University Comprehensive Alliance in Cancer Research Education and Equity, led by Dr. Carla Williams, Associate Professor of Medicine and Public Health. Other Howard participants include Dr. Rao Khan, Dr. Quinton Williams, Dr. Misra Prabhakar, Dr. Kofi Deh, Iman Stephenson, Britnee Marius, and Michelle Wills. Read more...

This fall, Howard alum and former Ambassador, Dr. Candice Pitts, was appointed Belize City's Administrator. Having served as a Belize City Councilwoman for three years prior, Pitts witnessed firsthand both the challenges and the opportunities that exist within Belize's largest municipality. That experience deepened her commitment to public service and strengthened her belief that good governance can meaningfully improve people’s lives. Read more...

Venerated journalist and former C‑SPAN CEO Susan Swain emceed the 76th annual Arthur S. Flemming Awards ceremony this November, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., where twelve federal employees were honored for exceptional civil service across science, leadership, law, and public policy. Howard University alum Dr. Supriyo De (National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging) was honored for his Leadership and Management.

Alexus Laster, a doctoral candidate at Howard University, has been awarded the AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research for the 2025–26 academic year. This highly competitive fellowship, which includes a $25,000 stipend and travel funding, supports scholars from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as they complete their dissertation research. Read more...

Scheduled for March 6-7, 2026, this festive occasion honors Howard University’s founding, celebrates our successes and recognizes alumni achievements. Friday’s convocation and Saturday’s dinner and dancing are all part of the University’s largest in-person fundraiser, raising more than $1 million for student scholarships. Read more...

RAND's Summer Associate Program introduces outstanding graduate students to RAND, an institution that conducts research on a wide range of domestic and international social policy issues and matters of national security.

Research and analysis is enriched by diversity of talents and perspectives. We welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. Deadline to apply: December 1, 2025. Read more...

November 20, 2025 | Virtual Employer Forum: Diverse Careers in STEM

December 3, 2025 | Virtual Employer Forum: Careers at Handshake

Read more...

The Sway is Howard University Graduate School's news publication. It serves to celebrate and highlight graduate student, alumni, faculty and staff achievements and updates. It is published regularly during the academic year.

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