Phylicia Rashad’s name is synonymous with iconic TV roles, award-winning theater performances, and unforgettable moments as Clair Huxtable. Yet, in her tenure as dean of Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, Rashad proved she is far more than a celebrated actress. She brought her star power and humility, revamping the college’s arts program with heart and dedication — and she did it all without seeking the spotlight.
For Rashad, leading the department wasn’t a job; it was a labor of love. “I don’t want the fuss,” she says with a gentle deflection, referring to her departure from the role. But don’t be fooled by her modesty — her impact is undeniable. Under her leadership, the college flourished, and it was no coincidence that the same school that nurtured rising star Chadwick Boseman (whom Rashad mentored) inspired her to take on the challenge of rebuilding the arts program.
Her sister, actress Debbie Allen, captures it perfectly: “Phylicia does this out of heart and service to the university.”
With an open-door policy that made her a fixture in the lives of hundreds of students, Rashad was more than just a dean. She was a mentor, a sounding board, and a gateway to the professionals students dreamed of becoming. Known for her gentle but firm guidance, she would often field the same question: “What did you do to get here?” To which Rashad’s answer was always rooted in the values she instilled: hard work, passion, and commitment to the craft.
Reflecting on her own college experience, Rashad recalls Howard University as a place “buzzing with music, art, and theater” — a space alive with culture and opportunity. It was at Howard that her love for the stage began to crystallize, driven by the encouragement of her father, a proud Howard alum. Despite the challenges, including an early encounter with a professor who suggested there was “no room in the theater for the Negro,” Rashad persevered, proving to the world that talent knows no boundaries.
Today, as she steps down from her role, Rashad leaves behind a legacy shaped by hard work and devotion to both her students and the art form she loves. “It’s about doing the work,” she reflects. And with that work, she has changed the trajectory of the fine arts program at Howard, ensuring that generations to come will benefit from the same mentorship and dedication she herself received.
Even as she exits the spotlight, Phylicia Rashad remains a force — not just in the theater, but in the hearts of all those who have been touched by her unassuming but profound influence at Howard University.
