Everybody's Favorite Mom, Phylicia Rashad, Named Dean of Howard University's College of Fine Arts!

This is one of the best decisions that we've seen an educational institution make in decades! Howard University, a Historical Black University, has named everybody's favorite television mom , Phylicia Rashad, their new Dean of the College of Fine Arts!

The private university made the announcement earlier today after searching high and low for someone to fill the position.

According to a Variety exclusive, Howard University conducted a nationwide search before appointing Rashad, an alumna of the school.

“It is an honor to welcome one of Howard’s acclaimed daughters back home to Alma Mater,” Provost Anthony Wutoh said in a statement. “In this full circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts. Her passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.”

Rashad says that she was surprised by the appointment but, called it a "privilege".

“I never saw myself as a dean,” she says with a laugh. “But then, I’ve never thought of myself as many things that I’ve been. “It’s a privilege to be a part of re-establishing the College of Fine Arts, to engage with the administration, the faculty, the students, the alumni, as well as artists around the country. It’s exciting to think about building towards a future with a College of Fine Arts and Howard University.”

Rashad fell in love with acting at the age of 11 and went on to pursue an education at Howard University in the very same department that she is now the dean of. She credits those years spent at Howard University for shaping her work ethic and her broad range of acting skills. "We were plunged into the discipline from the first day," she shared. She went on to explain that her instructors were pretty demanding of their time and energy. "We were in the drama department and we had work to do," she said.

Talk about a full-circle moment! Ms. Rashad will begin her new role on July 1 and will report to Provost Anthony K. Wutoh.

THIS is #BlackGirlMagic!