The College of Fine Arts (COFA) rejoiced when Howard alumna Phylicia Rashad was hired as dean of the college in May 2021. Now the school is shaken by her stepping down as her 3-year contract comes to an end.

Known best for being the mother of the Cosby Show, aka Clair Huxtable, the actress has made a name for herself not only on the campus of Howard University but in the world. 

With her extensive knowledge and background, Rashad was brought on to help the transition from COAS to independence go smoothly. 

In an email sent to students, parents, and faculty, President Dr. Wayne A. I. Fredrick wrote about the entertainment industry mogul’s experience, "Dean Rashad has a longstanding commitment to arts, education, and literacy, having served as adjunct faculty, master instructor, and guest artist/lecturer and administrator at several colleges.”

Before her return, COFA was attached to the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) and was not seen as an independent college until fallen alumni Chadwick Boseman sought to make COFA what it is today. Only a few months after Dean Rashad was hired, COFA was named after Boseman in honor of his efforts.

During Dean Rashad's three years at Howard, contributions to the Chadwick A. Boseman Fine Arts program increased remarkably. 

Netflix contributed a $5.4 million gift to the Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship in 2022, which provided students with a four-year full-ride scholarship.

Janee’ Ferguson, a Howard Alumna and inaugural Boseman scholar, believes that this scholarship gave her a greater purpose. 

“The scholarship definitely changed my life for the better. It made me realize I have a brand to create and a reputation to protect. Students after me will benefit because not only does it help students financially but how many people get to say that they’re a Boseman Scholar from the Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts? Being a Boseman scholar opens the door for so many opportunities both during and after college”, she shared.

The opportunities for COFA students in the past three years have continued to flow! 

Last year, the Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion partnered with COFA to establish the Capri Holdings Fashion and Merchandising Fund to provide scholarships to almost 100 students from historically underrepresented communities who are pursuing fashion. The fund makes Howard one of four institutions Capri Holdings has collaborated with.

The college’s namesake has continuously been uplifted, as several events have been held to honor him under Dean Rashad’s leadership.

In Nov. 2022, students gathered on The Yard for the “Howard Forever” rally to celebrate the release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. The event featured a panel discussion with Boseman’s friends and family, free t-shirts, Greek performances, and a candlelight vigil. 

Chadwick Boseman Day was also established, in which COFA wears white in honor of the late actor. The celebration of life is on Aug. 28.

Aside from this, Dean Rashad was named the inaugural holder of the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities in February. The endowed chair, backed by $3 million in funding, was created to support students in the arts and humanities endeavors’—whether it be new equipment, travel, or a facilities upgrade.

With several initiatives and programs set in place in just three years, Dean Rashad’s impact on COFA and the university overall is evident.

Now that Dean Rashad is leaving, many are wondering about the state of the school, but COFA Student Council President, Julius Shanks, has full confidence the college will be fine. 

“COFA is in good hands regardless because of what Dean Rashad has already done in terms of bringing exposure to the college,” said the junior acting major and Alabama native.

Howard will start the pursuit of looking for new dean candidates soon. While she will be missed, we wish Dean Rashad the best of luck in her future endeavors!