According to Tennessee State University, after more than 25 years with the state’s transportation department, Debbi Howard has returned to her alma mater as director of alumni relations.

A lifetime member of the Tennessee State University alumni association, Howard is active in getting more alumni involved in giving to TSU and in campaigns to raise funds for deserving students. Howard herself graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from TSU and then earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

“I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to be able to come back to my prestigious alma mater, Tennessee State University, to serve as your new director of alumni relations,” Howard told TSU News Service. “My goal is to not only recommence all of the traditions and alumni engagement events that are currently in place, but to galvanize our alumni base by creating partnerships, community engagement opportunities and incorporating exciting, innovative ideas and events that alums would enjoy.”

Howard has a long lineage of family members who have attended TSU. She assumed her new role on March 1, succeeding Cassandra Griggs, who served in the position for eight years and left TSU after holding other positions at the historically Black college and university during the last 25 years.