Dean's Corner

Another commencement season has come and gone, and we have so much to be proud of. For all the obvious reasons, it’s my favorite time of the academic year, rivaled only by the start of the Fall semester. This year’s Hood Presentation Ceremony was special because it was the first we’ve had since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic where we all felt a sigh of relief at being together in the space without great trepidation. It was also special because our students shared a visual tribute to their peers, their faculty, and their family that really showed their appreciation for the community that sustained them. The tribute to the graduate faculty who have become ancestors was moving, yes; but, more importantly, it honored their contributions to the academic community at Howard in a way that reflects how we value each other and our communities. 

This week, a new community is forming as the second Summer Doctoral Academy gets underway at Wintergreen. In this cohort are students who will spend the summer sharpening their academic chops on projects that matter. All research matters, yes. But there’s no denying that some research impacts communities more than others. Charrose King, for example, is examining the portrayal of Black autistic girls in cinema. Leslie Hall is exploring initiatives HBCUs have undertaken in recent years to offer a sense of belonging to LGBTQIA+ communities and the corrective action they are taking to improve alumni engagement in these communities. Tia Dickerson is considering the relation of marital status and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Denzel Brown is considering the ways activism meditates grief for parents who have lost children to gun violence. 

If space permitted, I would share all of their projects with you here and dare you not to give in ways that make this experience and their research possible. And if you’ve been reading this column regularly, you already know that I’m going to dare you not to give just because you know all that Howard makes possible. So, add us to your summer fun of summer fun, and make a gift today. You won’t regret it. Then, take some time to enjoy the season. We’ll see you in the fall. 

Dana A. Williams, Ph.D., Graduate Dean