Howard University Appoints Phylicia Rashad As Dean of Its College Of Fine Arts

Phylicia Rashad will serve as the dean of Howard Universitys College of Fine Arts beginning this summer, the institution announced on Wednesday.

The award-winning actor and Howard University alum will report to the schools provost Anthony K. Wutoh. She will officially head the newly reestablished fine arts college beginning July 1, the university said.

Howard University president Wayne A. I. Frederick celebrated Rashads appointment, saying he could think of no individual better suited to take on this role.

As we reintroduce our campus community and the world at large to Howards College of Fine Arts, the dean will play an instrumental role in ensuring an auspicious beginning for this reestablished institution, he continued in the statement. Given Ms. Rashads reputation as well as her capabilities and impressive list of accomplishments, she will undoubtedly empower the college to transcend even our incredibly high expectations.

Rashad graduated from Howard University with a bachelors degree in fine arts in 1970, The Associated Press reported. Years later she went on to portray her iconic role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, which first aired in 1984.

The actor has since received many accolades and appeared in a wide variety of roles on TV, in movies and onstage over her decadeslong career.

She was the first Black woman to win a Best Actress Tony award in 2004 for her portrayal of Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun. Last year, she voiced the character of Libba Gardner in Pixars animated film Soul.

We are pleased to announce that legendary actress and alumna Phylicia Rashad will serve as Dean of the Howard University College of Fine Arts. Read more here: https://t.co/4H0jhg1kRf pic.twitter.com/uWQsDeESHB

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We are pleased to announce that legendary actress and alumna Phylicia Rashad will serve as Dean of the Howard University College of Fine Arts. Read more here: https://t.co/4H0jhg1kRf pic.twitter.com/uWQsDeESHB
Howard University (@HowardU) May 12, 2021

Rashad holds an honorary doctorate from a number of institutions , including Howard University, where she served as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member.

Speaking about her experience teaching a master class at Howard University, Rashad told Variety that she not only marveled at her students talent, but she was also impressed by their fearlessness.

I have never seen anything like it, added.

Rashad told the publication that her new role does not mean that shes retired from acting, and that she had projects in the pipeline prior to her appointment.

She called her new position a privilege.

I never saw myself as a dean, she told Variety with a laugh. But then, Ive never thought of myself as many things that Ive been. Its a privilege to be a part of a reestablishing the College of Fine Arts, to engage with the administration, the faculty, the students, the alumni, as well as artists around the country.