Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Rochelle Ford

This month Howard University alumna Dr. Rochelle Ford -(B.A. ’93) was inaugurated as the eighth president of Dillard University in New Orleans. Ford began her role as president on July 1, after serving as the dean of Elon School of Communications. Not only did Ford receive her bachelor’s degree from Howard, graduating magna cum laude, but she also served as the associate dean of research and academic affairs in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications as well. While a student at The Mecca, Ford studied journalism and public relations, and it is here that she realized just how special HBCUs are. 

Ford stated, “I wanted to make sure in my career I was able to… create environments where young people had a safe place to fully experience their past and their present and their future because that’s what I was given.” One of the places Ford found belonging on campus was the Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Ford was initiated in 1991 and has served as the chapter’s president. 

As a member of Zeta Phi Beta, Ford partners with the sorority to conduct “Get Engaged” national research about the portrayal of Black women in unscripted/reality television and presented the findings of this study at the Congressional Black Caucus Conference. 

Included in her inauguration are presentations on high impact practices, a service and health fair, an investiture ceremony, and the groundbreaking of a new residential facility. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Rochelle Ford on her inauguration as the eighth President of Dillard University, and look forward to all she accomplishes during her presidency.