At the University of the District of Columbia, mornings often begin in motion.
Students move quickly between classes. Faculty members gather papers and coffee before the day starts. Someone rushes through the Student Center hoping not to be late for a meeting.
Somewhere in the middle of it all is Tonya Edington.
A student stops her to talk about classes. Someone else asks how she is doing. Another conversation begins in passing and stretches a little longer than expected.
Edington smiles easily. She remembers names. She listens carefully.
Her background in human resources, higher education and community service informs her commitment to students and community engagement. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Edington has participated in scholarship initiatives, community health projects and back-to-school drives for students and families. Today, she remains an active presence across UDC's campuses, supporting students and participating in events and initiatives.
As the spouse of UDC President Maurice D. Edington, she has embraced a visible role within the university community, using her platform to foster connection and support student success.
Moments like these happen every day at UDC, where generations of women have helped shape the university through leadership, mentorship, teaching and service.
That legacy was recently reflected in a national recognition from Newsweek, which included UDC among its rankings of America's Best Colleges for Women 2026.
Across campus, many say the recognition reflects something UDC has long understood.
Women have always been central to the university’s foundation — leading classrooms, building programs, guiding students through uncertainty and helping generations of Washingtonians imagine new possibilities.
As UDC marks its 175th anniversary, that work continues across classrooms, offices and campuses throughout the university and remains connected to Delivering on the Promise, the university's strategic plan centered on student success, workforce readiness and expanding opportunity across the District.
For Chief Academic Officer April Massey, supporting women students is inseparable from the university's broader public mission as the District's only public university.
"The academic enterprise is the foundation of the university's response to its access and opportunity missions," Massey said. "It is through our classrooms that we model our institutional commitments to making space and finding success paths for our students."
For Massey, that mission becomes especially meaningful at a university where many students are balancing careers, caregiving responsibilities and financial pressures alongside their education.
Across the university, women carry that work forward through mentorship, academic leadership and service that often extends far beyond the classroom. Their influence can be seen throughout university life, from athletics and student affairs to classrooms, advising offices and university leadership.
Leaders including Chief Student Development and Success Officer Terri Little-Berry, Chief of Staff and Director of Board Operations Frenika Rivers, General Counsel Avis Marie Russell, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Patricia Thomas, Interim Dean of the School of Education and Learning Sciences Anika Burtin, Interim Dean of UDC Law Angela Gilmore, UDC Community College Dean Marilyn Hamilton and Dean of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning Mashonda Smith continue helping guide students toward academic achievement, career success and lives of service.
Under Thomas' leadership, the university's women's athletic programs have become consistent contenders in conference competition while continuing to excel academically.
During the Fall and Spring 2025 semesters, 38 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, with 11 maintaining a 4.0 across both semesters. The achievement reflected the same discipline and commitment that has helped UDC student-athletes succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
For Burtin, the university's history carries particular significance.
The launch of the School of Education and Learning Sciences earlier this year marked a return to UDC's roots in teacher preparation dating back to 1851 and the founding of Miner Normal School for Colored Girls by Myrtilla Miner.
"This opportunity is both deeply meaningful to me and a profound responsibility," Burtin said. "As interim dean, my leadership will focus on building a strong foundation that honors this history while strengthening our role as a trusted partner to the community."
The connection between UDC's past and future is evident throughout the university.