Dean's Corner

Each fall carries with it a unique energy. The crispness in the air, the turning of the leaves, and the anticipation of what lies ahead remind us that the season is both a time of change and of renewal. For academics, the beginning of the fall semester is always more than a date on the calendar. It is an invitation to begin again—with new questions, new challenges, and new opportunities to grow as scholars, professionals, and leaders.

This fall, Howard enters yet another season of transition. Some changes were planned; others came with little warning. But all of them remind us of the need for flexibility, resilience, and shared purpose. Just as the trees release their leaves to make way for what will come, so too must we be willing to adapt to create space for growth. We have weathered transitions before, and we will endure these as well—sustained by the strength of our mission and the depth of our community.

We also begin this year in a broader context that cannot be ignored. The current political climate has turned increasingly skeptical—indeed hostile—toward higher education, and graduate education is particularly vulnerable to misunderstanding and dismissal. Yet our work remains essential. Every thesis and dissertation defended, every qualifying exam passed, every discovery in the lab, and every idea tested in the seminar room affirms why graduate education matters—not just to individual careers, but to the future of our ambitions for a more perfect union.

To our alumni, your role in this moment is more important than ever. You know firsthand the transformative power of graduate education. You have carried its lessons into your professions, your communities, and your lives. We need your voices, your advocacy, and your support to ensure that today’s students have the same opportunities you once did. Whether through mentorship, partnership, or philanthropy, your engagement strengthens our ability to persist in this challenging climate and to continue preparing the next generation of leaders. I urge you now to give in whatever ways you are able—through financial support, through your connections and networks, and through your time. I hope to see you all at the homecoming breakfast or to see your name of our list of sustained givers. I’d be happiest with both!  

As this academic year unfolds, let us embrace the lessons of fall: that change is inevitable, but so too is renewal. Together—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—we will continue to do the work that matters, grounded in our guiding principles of tradition, scholarship, and innovation.

In community,

Dana A. Williams, PhD | Graduate Dean