Elaine Howard, Program Manager for Strategic Projects and Community Engagement with the College of Communication and Information, received the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award from Florida State University.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the MLK Jr. Distinguished Service Award. While I am deeply grateful for this recognition, I think of so many others on our campus who are deserving of recognition in the community service they do to continue Dr. King’s legacy,” Howard said.

This award was established in 1986 to honor a faculty member, administrator, or staff member for their outstanding service in keeping with the principles and ideals of Dr. King.   This year saw two awardees, one faculty member and one staff member. Howard is the recipient of the staff award.

“This is an enormous honor and Ms. Elaine Howard absolutely exemplifies ‘a longstanding commitment to Dr. King’s principles and ideals of freedom, equality, justice, liberty, individuality, and respect,’ as described in the criteria for the award,” said Michelle Kazmer, Dean of the College of Communication and Information. “I have worked alongside Ms. Howard since 2008 and have observed the quality of her efforts and the generous, humane, and community-focused commitment she brings to everything she does and every project she leads.”

Ms. Howard is a member of the MLK Week Planning Committee. She also leads the Dean’s Inclusive Excellence Student Committee (College of Communication & Information) and serves on FSU’s Ukrainian Task Force.

The College congratulates Elaine Howard on her recognition and her outstanding service to the University.