August 9th 2023.
Phylicia Rashad, the renowned actress and alumna of Howard University, has formally stepped down from her role as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. The news was confirmed in a mass email sent by the school's President on behalf of the esteemed actress.
Rashad had started in 2021, when the college was re-established. During her tenure, she spearheaded a new era for the school, helping facilitate a scholarship named after the “Black Panther” actor that was gifted by Netflix. Additionally, she funded for advancements in programming and faculty, as well as a Taraji P. Henson-founded donation to uplift the mental health services for all members of the Howard community.
Despite her achievements, Rashad's tenure was not met with full praise. Back in July 2021, her support of former TV husband Bill Cosby drew criticism from the school and its members. In response to the backlash, Rashad released a statement of full support for sexual assault survivors.
Fortunately, relations between Rashad and the university eased in the later years. President Wayne I. Frederick expressed immense gratitude to the life and work Dean Rashad inputed into her alma mater on behalf of the entire university. He said, “We deeply appreciate Dean Rashad’s selfless contributions and commitment to our alma mater during her leadership of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the many contributions she has made to Howard University’s students, graduates, and global community.”
Rashad's work to revive and improve the fine arts program at the D.C. institution will be remembered in its history. To ensure her legacy is long-lasting, the Disney Storytellers Fund has pledged $1.5 million to help the fine arts and communications programs collaborate on new projects that are a blend of media forms.
Dean Rashad may be missed, but the impact she has made on her alma mater will be celebrated for years to come.
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