Alumni Profiles Series: Marla Frederick

Dr. Marla Frederick received her B.A. from Spelman College before pursuing a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology at Duke. After graduating from Duke, she completed postdocs at Princeton University and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). She also served on faculty at the University of Cincinnati, Harvard University, and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Dr. Frederick is currently Dean of Harvard Divinity School. She is the first woman and only the second African American to serve in that role. Dr. Frederick’s research reflects the institutions that have deeply shaped and informed her life, the Black Church and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She has authored or co-authored four books, including Between Sundays: Black Women and Everyday Struggles of Faith, which developed from her dissertation. Dr. Frederick is currently working with five co-editors to develop an encyclopedia on the histories of HBCUs. 

Read more about Dr. Frederick's life and career.