Claudette McFadden

Dr. Claudette McFadden is a Professor at the Department of Communication Studies, Theatre and Dance at Bethune-Cookman University, within the College of Arts and Humanities. She has held multiple administrative roles over 30 years, including department chair, dean, director, and associate provost. Her work emphasizes service learning, educational collaboration, and community engagement, highlighted by her founding of Project Reclaim—a Ford/UNCF-funded initiative—and the Thurgood Marshall Speech and Debate Society. She teaches courses like Public Speaking and Communication Ethics, mentoring students in competitive debate and fostering critical thinking skills.

Her administrative leadership spans roles such as dean of the Center for Civic Engagement and chair of the General Education Committee. Colleagues praise her organizational skills, dedication to humanity, and ability to inspire multidisciplinary collaboration. Dr. McFadden’s legacy includes revitalizing HBCU speech and debate programs and advocating for holistic education through initiatives like Project Pericles and Orchesis Dance Ensemble.

Labs/teams include the Thurgood Marshall Speech and Debate Society, which she directs, and partnerships with organizations like the HBCU Speech and Debate Association. Her career reflects a commitment to bridging academic rigor with community impact, as exemplified by her quote: 'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.'