Share
 
 
May 18, 2021

Dear Spelman family,

I am deeply saddened to share the news that our colleague and friend April King, special assistant to the provost, has passed away.

April loved working at Spelman College in her four-plus years of service in the Office of the Provost, first as the provost’s executive administrative assistant, and later as special assistant to the provost. She was a consummate professional, overseeing the daily operations of the Provost’s Office, managing my schedule, facilitating communications with department and division chairs, interacting with faculty and problem-solving issues as they arose.

April was keenly aware of the central role that the staff of Spelman play in the achievement of its mission. In her two and a half years of chairing Staff Council, she helped highlight the staff’s many impacts on our students’ living and learning experiences. Just after she was elected Staff Council president, she launched an initiative to share with staff how their contributions supported student retention, illuminating how staff were instrumental in Delivering the Spelman Promise, a pillar of the College’s strategic plan. This initiative led to the development of a survey and staff spotlight on the Staff Council web page.

Just before the pandemic transitioned Spelman to a fully virtual experience, April was leading Staff Council in the creation of an in-person professional development program for non-managerial staff, which was approved by the Office of the President to continue to invest in the professional growth of the College’s employees.

April launched the hashtag #WorkAtSpelman to promote the idea that Spelman isn’t just a place to work – it’s a home. Under her leadership, Staff Council started the new faculty and staff Meet & Greet to ensure new employees felt welcomed and had access to resources.

A talented administrative assistant, April generously shared her gifts with others, as a speaker, moderator and panelist at national conferences. She founded two organizations: the National Association for Black Administrative Professionals (NABAP) and Black Admin Magic to encourage and empower those in the administrative professionals field, and she authored, "The Ninja: Chronicles of an Administrative Assistant."

During the pandemic, April used her strong design and communication skills to publish weekly Online Tip Talks issues, featuring faculty from across the College employing novel pedagogical approaches in their online classes. Her love for helping our community improve was boundless.

But most important to April was her family and spiritual life: son Angelo, daughter Tere, son Ezra and husband Jeromy. She was deeply involved in her church, the Lion of Judah Family Worship Center in Riverdale, Georgia, and recently became its senior pastor.

Like all who knew her well, I am going to miss her effervescence and inner strength, her commitment to excellence, her generous and loving spirit, and her constant support of me and all things Spelman. I send deep condolences, prayers and healing thoughts to her family, my team, Staff Council, the entire Spelman community and all who were touched by her beautiful spirit.

The College will share details of her services when they become available.

In deep sadness and sympathy,

Sharon Davies, JD
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
Spelman College

 

Office of the Provost
Phone: 404-270-5001

Fax: 404-270-5010
https://www.spelman.edu/



Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign