Dean's Corner

The fall semester, which is at its midpoint already somehow, has been filled with much ativity for the Graduate School faculty, staff, and scholars. We opened the semester with thought-provoking events during orientation, where we welcomed our new scholars to campus on Thursday and curated a series of workshops on Friday for our returning scholars who are teaching. A highlight of orientation this year was a return to our "Think Tank" lunches, where scholars self-selected hot topics to discuss with their peers across all disciplines. I'm sure that, in those rooms, seeds were planted about cross-disciplinary research ideas that will soon grow to important scholarship that will impact the communities that are our thought partners and collaborators in service.

In late September, we hosted the annual Edward Alexander Bouchet Honor Society Fall Forum and invited scholars from 18 Bouchet chapters to consider the idea of a new academy. Selected because of their interest in joining the professoriate, these scholars spent the day thinking about the academy they would like to join and help build in the years to come. Our theme was "Re-Imagining a Re-Newed Academy," and our goal was to begin to build the community committed to doing that work. Scholars participated in workshops led by Dr. Celeste Malone and Dr. Terri Adams; and they had an up-and-close view of public intellectuals who "do community" as writers and thinkers by attending a session of the International Writers' Festival, which featured writers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Ibram Kendi.

As quickly as we get the current class it, we begin recruiting for the next one. So, we're already busy preparing now for the 2024-25 academic year! This year, we're excited to launch a priority funding consideration deadline for students who apply by December 1. The pool of applicants to our high-quality programs is consistently impressive. Finding ways to support as many of these students as possible is a top priority for us.

Finally, we're excited to welcome our alumni back to campus for homecoming. We hope many of you will join us and attend the breakfast. Even if you cannot attend, we hope you will consider giving to our annual fund, which provides our scholars with some of the opportunities they need to matriculate successfully and to thrive after graduation. During this homecoming season, take a moment to remember fondly your time at Howard (whether it's then or now) and all that being at and of Howard makes possible. Celebrate with us, as we celebrate each other.

Cheers! 

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