Today marks five years since I first stepped into the world of academia. My journey began at my beloved Howard University—a place that has shaped me over and over again. From earning my BA in Education to my master’s in Music Education, and then being persuaded by Dr. Kamalidiin to pursue a PhD, Howard has always been my foundation. I still remember calling him in tears as I faced the challenges that so many Black women endure in doctoral programs—navigating both race and gender in spaces not built for us. He had walked that road himself and guided me through the difficult decision to leave the safe haven of an HBCU and pursue my doctorate at a PWI.
What made the difference was Howard’s unwavering support. Many of its professors adopt their students for life, guiding us long after we leave. That’s why, after completing my PhD, returning to teach at Howard felt like coming full circle. It was there, through the Faculty Scholars Program, that I sharpened my academic writing and drafted my first book proposal for Human Tapestry—a book that will be published in 2026 with Anthem Press. The critiques were rigorous, sometimes painful, but absolutely necessary for my growth.
Howard is home in the truest sense of the word. It’s where my father taught for forty years, where I once wandered the campus as a little girl, and where I later had the privilege of teaching. The day I was hired remains one of the greatest moments of my life and career.
Academia can be a daunting place. When I completed my PhD, I swore I would never return to it. But God had other plans—and He knew that only Howard could draw me back into this challenging, yet often magical, world. My dream was simply to remain at Howard, content to spend the rest of my career there as a lecturer.
Yet God’s path is rarely the one we imagine. I was offered an incredible research opportunity at Johns Hopkins’ Institute for Education Policy, but my heart kept turning back toward Howard, longing for the haven it had always been. Then He opened the door for me to serve as an Assistant Professor at Catholic University, just next door. I knew I could not pass up the chance to pursue tenure—and in the midst of all the complexities of academia, I discovered something surprising: I truly love it here. I am happiest here. And so, I knew it was time to take the first chance I had to plant roots in this academic world.
Here at Catholic U, I don’t find myself missing Howard quite as much. Maybe it’s because I can still see it, walk its campus, and feel that enduring connection. But it’s also because my soul has found peace in the sacredness of this space. Leaving Howard was not easy—leaving home never is—but each week as I drive past the Mecca, I am reminded of where I came from and the foundation that continues to guide me.
Howard’s professors always told us: they weren’t preparing us just for Howard—they were preparing us to go out and impact the world. Today, as I reflect on five years in academia, I know I would not be where I am without the foundation Howard University gave me.
Dr. Anika T. Prather 