Miguelina Howell serves as the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Miguelina holds a license in clinical psychology. After becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, she earned a theological degree from the Centro de Estudios Teológicos in Santo Domingo and was ordained as a priest in 2003.
During her time as Vicar of the Cathedral, Dean Howell led the congregation into a new season of congregational development, partnering with lay leaders to form Ministry Teams that responded to the needs of the community. Upon her election as the 10th Dean, she was instrumental in the realization of the Cathedral’s Capital Campaign and Redevelopment Project, which has brought new life and stronger community connections with organizations across the Greater Hartford Area—including a solid partnership with Hartford Stage and Connecticut State Community College-Capital.
Recognized for her strong organizational leadership, pastoral care, and strategic thinking, Dean Howell has guided the Cathedral community with vision and compassion, balancing administrative excellence with a deep commitment to nurturing spiritual growth and belonging. She is a retreat leader, clergy mentor, and public speaker across our denomination. Miguelina has served as CREDO Faculty for over a decade. CREDO is a clergy wellness program of the Church Pension Group. Currently, she is a member of the Governing Board of Hartford Stage and its Executive Committee.
In the past, she has served in various capacities at the diocesan, provincial, and wider church levels. Her roles have included serving as a member of the Presiding Bishop’s Staff under two Presiding Bishops, Chaplain to the House of Bishops, member of the Board of Directors of the Seminary of the Southwest, member of the Episcopal Church Executive Council, member of the Council of Advice for the President of the House of Deputies, member of the Constituting Group for the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice, member of the Council of Advice for the TEC Office of Latino Ministries, and member of the Task Force for Re-imagining the Episcopal Church.
Miguelina was the first female rector of the Church of the Epiphany (Diocese of Newark) and the first Latina to serve as a cathedral dean in both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. In the Dominican Republic, she served as priest-in-charge of two rural congregations, Executive Director and Administrator of the Diocesan Camp and Conference Center, and Coordinator of Young Adult Ministries and the Diocesan Communications Committee. In her young adult years, Dean Howell served as Executive Assistant to the Bishop of the Dominican Republic.
Miguelina is passionate about social and racial justice, as well as the intersection of spirituality and the arts. She finds joy in crafting liturgies that bring people closer to God, themselves, and others.
Miguelina is married to Daniel M. Howell, and together they are the proud parents of three sons: Dominic, Darius, and Dorian.