<Li> Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashād): active Hillman alumna, wife of Cliff, daughter - in - law of Russell, mother of Denise, partner in New York law firm, mother - in - law of Martin Kendall (originated as a leading character on The Cosby Show). </Li> <Li> Dean Hughes (Rosalind Cash): Hillman dean of students during seasons two through four (character originated on The Cosby Show) </Li> <Li> Marion Gilbert (Diahann Carroll): wealthy socialite and Hillman alumna, crowned Miss Hillman as an undergraduate, mother of Whitley and ex-wife of Mercer, aunt of Liza and Courtney, antagonist of Adele Wayne, mother - in - law of Dwayne . She also sits on the Hillman College's board of trustees . </Li> <Li> Julian Day (Dominic Hoffman): exchange student from Georgetown University, entered into serious relationship with Whitley, broke up with Whitley, engaged to marry another woman (Shelby), plans to move to Paris . </Li>

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