Howard University School of Divinity is a graduate theological and professional school operating with an attitude of sustainable excellence in research, teaching, professional and scholarly development and service to the church and the world.
Vision
To be a global leader in theological education in a community driven by intellectual rigor, a passion for justice and freedom, and a relentless search for truth.
Mission
To educate and form academic and religious leaders to serve the church and society, and to celebrate the religious and cultural heritage of African Americans, the African Diaspora, and Africa.
Core Values
School of Divinity operates under the core values of compassion, integrity, justice-equality, human dignity, service and truth. The following six strategies have been employed as the bridge to sustainable excellence:
- Produce academically superior and morally conscious leaders to address the changing conditions and issues that impact the nation and the world.
- Advance Howard University School of Divinity as the center of African American/African-descended religious thought.
- Acquire the appropriate resources needed for institutional excellence and effective growth.
- Contribute to the overall goals of Howard University and our external publics including the church.
- Develop capabilities and strategies that prepare learners to engage a culturally and religiously diverse world.
- Increase and sustain the enrolled student population.
Giving Opportunities
The HUSD Office of Development has been instrumental in reaching out to Divinity alumni/ae, as well as the School of Divinity donor base to enhance the level of giving. Due to the pressing need for tuition assistance to students, the present priority is support for our scholarship program. Plans have been developed and are underway to heighten gifts from alumni, foundations and corporations in the future by a variety of approaches, including grant development and proposals.
- Increase student scholarships for the School of Divinity;
- Raising funds to support dual degree programs, i.e., M. Div/MBA, M. Div/MSW:
- Raising funds and garnering support for the Ph.D. program in Africana Religious Studies;
- Increase funding for public forums to expand the impact of the School of Divinity in the public square;
- Raising funds for recruitment and retention of students;
- Hire a Prospect Researcher and Graduate Assistant to help advance the goals and increase donations to the School of Divinity; and,
- Developing an alumni directory of HUSD graduates in honor of the Centennial celebration of the School.
Alumni Accomplishments
Brandon Beasley (M. Div. student, SGA VP Communications)
- Member of Golden Key International Honor Society
- Chosen as Co-President of the Howard University Chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society
Alabama State University President Gwendolyn E. Boyd (HUSD M.Div. and D.Min. Alumna)
- Recently named one of “The 20 Most Interesting College Presidents” in America by TheBestSchools.org
- Selected for AI.com’s list of the top “Women Who Shape the State”
- Selected to the prestigious “Leadership Alabama”
Rev. Michael R. Fisher (HUSD M.Div. Alumnus, Ph.D. Candidate, Vanderbilt University)
- A fellow in Vanderbilt’s Program in Theology and Practice and a doctoral candidate in Ethics and Society, Rev. Fisher is one of three Vanderbilt University graduate students awarded the 2015 Forum for Theological Exploration fellowship for doctoral students of African descent.
Rev. Shirley A. Gravely-Currie (HUSD Director of Development, HUSD Alumna, M.Div.)
- Received the 2015 Henry W. Edgerton Civil Liberties Award presented by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of the Nation’s Capital for “courageous leadership in demanding an end to the War on Drugs and over-criminalization” in the District of Columbia.
Elder Serena K. Parks (HUSD Admissions & Retention Coordinator, HUSD Alumna, M.Div. & M.A.R.S.)
- Honored at the fifth Annual Alston-Gillard Awards Benefit for Joseph S. House in 2015.