Where Did Nick Cannon Go To College?

Nick Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio and television personality. He began performing stand-up comedy at age 15 and eventually landed a role on the Nickelodeon TV series All That.

This launched his career in television and he went on to star in and produce numerous TV shows and films. But before becoming a household name, Cannon attended college. So where exactly did Nick Cannon go to college?

What College Did Nick Cannon Attend?

Nick Cannon attended Howard University, a private historically black university located in Washington D.C. He enrolled at Howard in 1998 at age 17 after graduating from high school in California.

Why Did Nick Cannon Choose Howard University?

There were several factors that influenced Nick Cannon’s decision to attend Howard University:

• Prestigious HBCU: Howard is one of the most prestigious historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. It has a long legacy of educating Black leaders and professionals.
• Location in Washington D.C.: Being located in the nation’s capital provided opportunities for internships and networking. D.C. is also a hub for media, politics, and activism.
• Strong Media/Communications Programs: Howard has highly ranked programs in communications, journalism, film, and television production. This appealed to Cannon who knew he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment.
• Connections to Other Celebrities: Many famous Black celebrities and public figures attended Howard, like Sean Combs and Kamala Harris. Cannon hoped to make similar high-profile connections.
• Full Scholarship: Cannon received a full scholarship to attend Howard which helped make it an affordable choice.

What Did Nick Cannon Study at Howard?

At Howard, Nick Cannon majored in criminology and administration of justice. However, he was also heavily involved in the school’s television production resources.

Cannon started training in TV production during his junior year. He took courses at Howard’s School of Communications and worked at the campus television station WHUT. This allowed Cannon to gain skills in directing, technical work, and on-air talent.

He was also an active member of Howard’s chapter of Nickelodeon’s Kids World Council program. The program gave him access to resources and mentors at Nickelodeon. His experience at WHUT and with Kids World Council ultimately helped Cannon land an audition for All That.

Nick Cannon’s Time at Howard University

Nick Cannon enrolled at Howard University in 1998 at age 17. He graduated in 2002 at age 21 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology.

Freshman Year

As a freshman, Cannon lived in Drew Hall and focused on his criminology major. During this time, he became involved with student government and was elected freshman class president. Outside academics, he connected with fellow students by DJing parties on campus.

Sophomore Year

In his second year, Cannon moved off campus to an apartment. He pledged and became a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Through his fraternity, he participated in community service activities like feeding the homeless. Cannon also did poetry slam events on campus.

Junior Year

During his junior year, Cannon began training in television production. He took courses at Howard’s School of Communications and worked behind the scenes at WHUT Channel 32. Through the Kids World Council program, he also started doing on-air work like hosting segments.

Senior Year

As a graduating senior in 2002, Cannon was voted Howard University’s “Most Likely to Succeed” by his peers. That June, he completed filming for his first movie Men in Black II which released theatrically a few weeks after his Howard graduation.

Nick Cannon’s Accomplishments After Graduating Howard

Nick Cannon’s career took off rapidly after graduating from Howard University in 2002:

• 2002: Began starring role on Nickelodeon’s The Nick Cannon Show
• 2005: Created and executive produced MTV improv comedy Wild N’ Out
• 2009: Debuted as host of NBC’s America’s Got Talent
• 2013: Launched syndicated radio show Cannon’s Countdown
• 2016: Named host of Fox’s The Masked Singer
• 2020: Created and hosted Fox’s The Masked Singer: After the Mask

In addition to his television work, Cannon has released several rap albums, done stand-up comedy, and authored books. He continues to host the radio show Cannon’s Countdown and serves as chairman of TeenNick for Nickelodeon.

Has Nick Cannon Said Anything About His College Experience?

Yes, Nick Cannon has shared his perspective on attending Howard University in several interviews over the years. Here are some notable quotes:

“Howard University defined me. I don’t know what I’d be or where I’d be without it.”

“Everything I am is because of Howard University. If I could repay them for my experience, I would.”

“My time at Howard as an undergrad really set me up to go accomplish all I’ve been able to accomplish in my career.”

“Howard University is such a special place that creates such a strong foundation for you as you go through life.”

Cannon has credited Howard for giving him a strong sense of identity as well as teaching him how to succeed in the entertainment industry. He remains actively involved as an alumnus, delivering the keynote speech at Howard’s 150th Opening Convocation Ceremony in 2017.

Conclusion

In summary, Nick Cannon attended the prestigious historically Black university Howard University located in Washington D.C. He enrolled in 1998 and graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in criminology.

Although he majored in criminology, Cannon was heavily involved in television production and entertainment through the campus station WHUT and Nickelodeon’s Kids World Council program.

This experience ultimately helped launch his successful career in television, film, comedy, music, radio, and business. Cannon has consistently credited his time at Howard as defining his identity and preparing him for success. He remains an active and grateful alumnus of the school.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nick Cannon and Howard University

Here are answers to some common questions about Nick Cannon’s college background:

Did Nick Cannon graduate from college?

Yes, Nick Cannon graduated from Howard University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology.

How old was Nick Cannon when he started at Howard?

Nick Cannon started at Howard University in 1998 at the age of 17 after finishing high school early.

What student activities was Nick Cannon involved in at Howard?

At Howard, Cannon was involved in student government, served as freshman class president, worked at the campus TV station WHUT, pledged Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, and was part of Nickelodeon’s Kids World Council program.

Did Nick Cannon play sports at Howard?

No, there is no record of Nick Cannon participating in collegiate sports while attending Howard. He was mainly focused on television production and his criminology studies.

Was Nick Cannon in a fraternity at Howard?

Yes, Cannon pledged Phi Beta Sigma fraternity during his sophomore year at Howard University.

How did Nick Cannon get his role on All That?

While attending Howard, Cannon’s work with the Kids World Council program helped him land an audition for Nickelodeon’s All That. He filmed his first episode while still enrolled as a student.

Has Nick Cannon served on the board of Howard University?

In 2015, Cannon was appointed to a 3-year term on the Board of Trustees at Howard University. He advocated for the arts and ensuring affordable education.

Does Nick Cannon have an honorary degree from Howard University?

Yes, in 2021 Nick Cannon received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University in recognition of his contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.