Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker
2026 Beautiful Are Their Feet Awardee
Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker is an accomplished organizational strategist and educator dedicated to leadership development, diversity, and global collaboration. With experience at Harvard, the Salzburg Global Seminar, and the Forum for Theological Exploration, she empowers institutions and emerging leaders to create transformative, inclusive impact through education, partnership, and visionary program design.
Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker
Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker is an accomplished organizational adviser, program strategist, and advocate for talent recruitment and leadership development whose career reflects an enduring commitment to equity, education, and transformative social impact. With over three decades of experience across higher education, philanthropy, and nonprofit sectors, she has built a distinguished reputation for her visionary leadership, collaborative spirit, and capacity to inspire institutions toward inclusive excellence.
A proud graduate of Spelman College, Dr. Fluker earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University, with additional study at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. From the beginning of her academic journey, she demonstrated a deep passion for the intersection of education, leadership, and social justice—a passion that would define her life's work.
Throughout her career, Dr. Fluker has served in senior leadership roles at some of the nation’s most respected institutions. At the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, she designed and implemented innovative recruitment strategies that transformed fellowship outreach—most notably leading to a 71% increase in African American student admissions in her first year. Her work became the model for promoting all fellowships within the Center and was recognized across Harvard’s offices of admissions, diversity, and financial services.
Earlier, as Vice President of Doctoral Programs and Administration at the Fund for Theological Education (now the Forum for Theological Exploration), she championed programs that identified, supported, and prepared emerging scholars for academic and ministry leadership. Her tenure saw the creation of enduring partnerships and the establishment of the Sharon Watson Fluker Endowment Fund, honoring her legacy of cultivating future theological leaders.
Dr. Fluker also played a pivotal role with the Salzburg Global Seminar’s Mellon Fellows Community Initiative, where she co-developed the Global Education Consortium (GEC)—a groundbreaking partnership between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Appalachian College Association institutions. This work culminated in the landmark publication Creating Sites of Global Citizenship (2013), a testament to her dedication to building globally engaged campuses and fostering intercultural collaboration.
As a consultant and educator, Dr. Fluker continues to influence the next generation of scholars and leaders. At the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, she serves as Cohort Guide and Affiliate Faculty in the Doctor of Ministry program, mentoring students through their academic and vocational formation. Her previous consultancy with the Society of Biblical Literature advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives at the national level, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to broadening participation within the academy.
A respected thought partner and board member, Dr. Fluker has served on the boards of the Daughters of the African Atlantic Fund, American Bible Society, Chicago Theological Seminary, Friendship Press, and the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, among others. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Claremont School of Theology and distinction as an alumna of the Harvard University Administrative Fellows Program.
Dr. Fluker’s professional journey is marked by her ability to bridge communities, foster collaboration, and translate vision into sustainable impact. Whether guiding doctoral students, cultivating diverse talent pipelines, or building global academic partnerships, she exemplifies the power of leadership rooted in purpose, faith, and the common good.
