Phylicia Rashad To Step Down As Dean At Howard University’s Boseman College of Fine Arts

Phylicia Rashad will formally step down as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. The news was confirmed in a mass email sent by the school’s president, Wayne I. Frederick.

The letter, re-shared by HBCU Gameday, states that the dean will finish her duties for the final upcoming school year. Rashad returned to her alma mater in 2021 to lead the re-established College of Fine Arts, named after fellow alumnus Boseman.

Rashad spearheaded a new era for the school, helping facilitate a scholarship named after the Black Panther actor that was gifted by Netflix. She also 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.

Throughout her years of service to the HBCU, Rashad was committed to leaving an impact that would be long-lasting. The Disney Storytellers Fund has pledged $1.5 million to help the fine arts and communications programs collaborate on new projects that blend media forms.

Rashad’s time at the school was not met with full praise. In July 2021, Rashad’s support of former TV husband Bill Cosby drew criticism from the school and its members. Rashad released a statement of full support for sexual assault survivors following the backlash.

Despite the controversy, relations between Rashad and the university eased.

“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,” Frederick said in a statement.

As an actress, Rashad is best known for her work on The Cosby Show, one of the 1980s most popular television shows.