Shaw University Divinity School recently welcomed the Reverend Doctor Gregory M. Howard as the new Assistant Dean for the Shaw Divinity School and as Associate Professor of Practical Ministry and Black Church Studies.
Dr. Howard is a native of Lancaster, Virginia. Howard has served as Interim Dean and Associate Professor of Homiletics and Practical Theology at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. He also served there as the developer and Director of the John W. Kinney Center for Transformative Theology and Embodied Faith. Howard is the most recent past President of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and a former Board of Trustee member of Virginia Union University. In addition to Howard’s academic experience, he also has 20 years of pastoral experience.
Howard said: “I’m excited to be extended the opportunity to join the Shaw family and the rich liberative and transformational legacy of Shaw’s School of Divinity. I am committed to partnering with our administration, faculty, staff, students and alums to further advance our mission of delivering stellar and substantive theological education that will equip our emerging scholar practitioners to more effectively serve Christ throughout the global society.”
Howard holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Development (Bluefield College), Master of Divinity (Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University), Executive MBA (December 2021 Virginia Union University), and a Doctorate in Preaching (Aquinas Institute of Theology at St. Louis University). He is the author of “Black Sacred Rhetoric: The Gospel According Religious Folk Talk” and “Voices Crying Out in the Wilderness: Theological Reflections Where Context Matters.” Civically, he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Howard believes that we have been blessed with life and created in the image of God to be with and for one another. Therefore, he strives to counter the many socio-cultural and religious barriers along with the varied forms of oppression with a liberative theological practice in order to create a more just and beloved community. Howard and his wife Reverend Kimberly Gonxhe have four children.
Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard said, “We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Gregory Howard as Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Practical Ministry and Black Church Studies to our esteemed Divinity School. His years of experience and expertise will augment our faculty leadership and provide strong mentorship for our Divinity School students.”
With a rich heritage that is rooted in the Baptist Church, Shaw University Divinity School prepares students for their calling as Christian leaders through theological study, practical knowledge applicable to church ministries and spiritual practices.
