Phylicia Rashad, known for her portrayal of Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has been officially appointed as dean of Howard University’s newly reestablished College of Fine Arts. After a nationwide search, the legendary actor is returning to her alma mater to steer the newest generation of promising students.
“It is an honor to welcome one of Howard’s acclaimed daughters back home to Alma Mater,” Provost Anthony K. Wutoh, who Rashad will report to, said in a statement. “In this full-circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts. Her passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.” With an accomplished career in front of the camera, at the director’s chair and onstage, Rashad is also adept on the educational front of the industry, having already taught a masterclass at the university in the past. She has also served as a guest lecturer at many prestigious institutions including New York University, Juilliard and The Black Arts Institute of the Stella Adler School of Acting.
Although her father and her sister (the renowned Debbie Allen) are both a part of her Howard legacy, Rashad said in an interview with Variety that she never envisioned herself as a dean. “It’s a privilege to be a part of reestablishing the College of Fine Arts, to engage with the administration, the faculty, the students, the alumni, as well as artists around the country. It’s exciting to think about building toward a future with a College of Fine Arts and Howard University,” she continued. The university is a historically Black institution and is known as a hub for exceptional Black talent, boasting nationally acclaimed alumni ,including the late Chadwick Boseman, Taraji P. Henson, and even Vice President Kamala Harris.
Rashad’s storied decades-long career comprises Tony Awards, NAACP Awards, and Emmy nominations. Most recently, she has appeared on This Is Us, David Makes Man, Empire, Pixar’s Soul, and Netflix’s musical Jingle Jangle. In her upcoming projects, Rashad is set to reprise her Mary Anne — the adoptive mother of Adonis Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan) — in the third iteration of Creed, slated to release in 2022. Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA said, “Given Ms. Rashad’s reputation as well as her capabilities and impressive list of accomplishments, she will undoubtedly empower the college to transcend even our incredibly high expectations. Under her leadership, Howard will continue to inspire and cultivate the artists and leaders who will shape our niche and national cultures for generations to come.”
