Amy Howard

Dr. Amy Howard is the Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) for Equity and Community and associated faculty in American Studies. 

As the first SAO at UR, Dr. Howard brings experience connecting and catalyzing stakeholder groups to collaborate for culture change as the former AVP of Community Initiatives and the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement. Over the past four years, Dr. Howard has served as the co-chair of the Thriving and Inclusive Community strategic plan working group; participated in the Council for Independent Colleges’ Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute as part of a UR team; and served on the Interim Coordinating Council, Presidential Commission on University History and Identity, and as the Interim SAO. 
 
In her capacity as SAO, Dr. Howard provides institutional (s)trategy for equity and community engagement, serves as a consistent (a)dvocate for equity, inclusion, community engagement, and (o)rganizes efforts across the institution and in the community to further UR's mission, values and DEI and civic goals.

As SAO, Dr. Howard convenes and consults with the ICC, led by a faculty and staff co-chairs, serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet, and collaborates with the Executive Director of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, Dr. Sylvia Gale, and Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Glyn Hughes on aligning and supporting institutional commitments in diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement and outreach. Dr. Howard reports jointly to EVP and Provost Jeff Legro and EVP and COO Dave Hale who have been charged by the President will overseeing the implementation of our goals.

Dr. Howard has taught courses on urban history and American studies, including a Sophomore Scholars in Residence course, "Urban Americas". Howard's book, More Than Shelter: Activism and Community in San Francisco Public Housing, explores the history of tenant activism, community building, and racial and ethnic alliances in San Francisco public housing. She is currently working on a book about leadership and politics in Richmond, Virginia with Thad Williamson. She is also co-editing a book on urban history and public humanities contributions to community development with Robin Bachin.

In 2013, she chaired the housing task force of Mayor Dwight Jones' Maggie L. Walker Initiative for Expanding Opportunity and Fighting Poverty. 

She holds an A.B. with honors in history from Davidson College and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the College of William and Mary.