Howard is a non-traditional first-generation student born in Santa Rosa New Mexico. On his return to academia, he began the new phase of his journey at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) where he received an AA in Liberal Arts. 

After transferring to the University of New Mexico (UNM) he received his BA with his major in Chicana and Chicano Studies and minor in Communication and Journalism. He then received his master’s in Chicana and Chicano studies (2022). 

He is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. program of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UNM and is a Teachers Assistant for the department. His interests are indigenous communities in New Mexico and Mexico. His research is focused on Chicanx Muralism and Identity in New Mexico by Nuevomexicana/o Muralists.