Faculty Development

The Office of Faculty Development was established in 2015 to enhance and advance the development of programs for faculty throughout the University and to encourage faculty engagement and interdisciplinary collaborations. The Office of Faculty Development serves as the hub for faculty development programs, mentorship initiatives, and other activities for the 14 Schools and Colleges of the University. Programs and activities sponsored by the Office support new faculty, junior faculty, mid-career faculty, part-time faculty, and senior faculty in career development, research, scholarship, publishing, leadership development, and professional satisfaction. Programs offered by the Office of Faculty Development include the Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy, the Junior Faculty Forum, the Chair Leadership Academy, the New Faculty Orientation held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, and the Faculty Leadership Institute. Under the leadership of Associate Provost Okianer Christian Dark, the Office of Faculty Development positively impacts the scholarly pursuits of Howard University’s esteemed faculty.

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Okianer Christian Dark, JD
Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Professor of Law

Jacqueline Young, MS
Program Manager

Deborah Elliott
Administrative Assistant II

“In the life of a University, promoting and tenuring faculty are really among the most significant and most serious responsibilities for a provost and a university’s administration,” said Provost Anthony K. Wutoh to faculty who were promoted and tenured during AY 2023 – 2024 at a special recognition ceremony. The ceremony, held on November 13, 2024, recognized 39 faculty from eleven of the University’s fourteen Schools and Colleges, including the School of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Communications, College of Dentistry, School of Divinity, School of Education, College of Engineering and Architecture, School of Law, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and the School of Social Work.

“Faculty are the lifeblood,” said Provost Wutoh. “It is truly the faculty that protects the academic rigor of an institution; it is the faculty that helps to frame the reputation and mission of an institution,” he said. “So, while I am congratulating you, I want to challenge you to also continue to do the work of the University to fulfill the mission of our institution and continue to shape young minds that will make a difference and impact around the world.”

Family, friends, and colleagues from across the University joined in the Zoom celebration. Congratulatory shoutouts and expressions were heard throughout the room! View the full program below to hear Provost Wutoh’s complete remarks and remarks by Associate Provost Okianer Christian Dark, Dr. Kehbuma Langmia, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Studies in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, and Howard University President Dr. Ben Vinson III. – Jacqueline Young, Office of Faculty Development, Office of the Provost

View the full program.

Faculty Leadership Institute Initiatives

Atty. Michael Steele Discusses Leadership at November 7 Seminar

On Tuesday, November 7, members of the Faculty Leadership Institute had a candid yet empowering conversation with Michael Steele on leadership. Steele is serving as the 2023-2024 Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy. He is also a former chair of the Republican National Committee and former lieutenant governor of Maryland. Steele said that those aspiring to be leaders must first know why they want to do so. “Look in the mirror and ask yourself why you are doing this. You have to first be grounded in something,” he said. Two other key factors of leadership are the ability to listen and communicate effectively, he offered. “Sometimes you have to shut up and listen,” he joked. Steele also offered the FLI members this advice: “Your willingness to let others lead is important as a leader. You must always be prepared to lead but never be afraid to follow.”

-----By Jacqueline Young

Pictured above: Front row, l to r: Caroline Starke, Sosanya Jones, JaNeen Cross, Lennox Graham, Carolivia Herron, Okianer Christian Dark, Maru Etta-Nkwelle Back row, l to r: Justin Hansford, Calvin Hadley, Michael Ralph, Michael Steele, Maurice Fluitt, Elka Stevens, Matthew Franke, Thomas Heinbockel

All new faculty, full and part-time, are required to attend a mandatory New Faculty Orientation. The next New Faculty Orientation will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Orientation will be held on Zoom.

The Junior Faculty Forums are held monthly specifically for junior faculty to focus on the critical areas important to their teaching, research, writing, scholarship, and promotion and tenure goals.

The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) in the Office of the Provost sponsors the Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy (“Summer Academy”) to support faculty success with their scholarly publications and/or creative works. Scholarly publications include manuscripts for journal articles, book chapters and monographs in a university press or other academic presses.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Assessment (CETLA) was founded in 2003 to promote a culture of teaching and learning at Howard University. CETLA encourages continuous improvement by employing best practices in assessment. For assistance email cetlasupport@howard.edu.