January 31 : Dr. Gayle Named A Forbes Top Black Higher Ed CEO to Watch in 2023

Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, 11th president of Spelman College, has been named one of the Top 10 Black Higher Education CEOs to Watch in 2023 by Forbes magazine. This dynamic list of Black higher education leaders honors some of the most prominent names at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and gamechangers at historic Ivy League institutions."I am honored to be among Forbes’ 10 Top Black Higher Ed CEOs To Watch in 2023," said Dr. Gayle. "While there’s still more work to be done in diversifying executive leadership of higher ed institutions, we applaud the work of extraordinary Black leaders across the country."Other higher education officials in the Top 10 feature include: Kevin James, Ed.D.,19th president of Morris Brown College; William F. Tate IV, president of Louisiana State University; and Claudine Gay, Ph.D., Harvard University’s president-elect and first president of color.

For more information, visit the Forbes website.

The Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) recently selected Spelman College associate professor Michelle S. Hite, Ph.D., as one of 10 academic leadership fellows, following a competitive selection process among its member institutions. Hite is also program director of Spelman’s Honors Program, as well as the International Fellowships and Scholarships program.

"I’m excited to join this next cohort of ACS Mellon Fellows," said Hite. "Mentorship, especially in the academy, can be so important for demystifying how structures of power work. I’m interested in what I can learn about how I can be effective in leadership."

The program, supported by a $1.5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, is aimed at providing leadership experiences to a diverse cohort of humanities faculty members and thereby expanding the demographics of academic administration at ACS colleges, and eventually beyond.

Hite is joined by nine other fellows representing institutions like Rhodes College, Rollins College, Southwestern University, and Washington and Lee University.

For more information, visit Spelman’s News and Events page.

Filmmaker Spike Lee and the Gersh Agency have announced the creation of the Spike Fellows Program, a fellowship to support undergraduate students at the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College – with an interest in the film industry. The program is based on the principle that access plus exposure will create opportunities.

The inaugural class of Spike Fellows will consist of five graduating seniors from AUCC institutions who will receive academic debt relief, industry mentorship, post-graduate internships and full-time employment – all provided by Gersh. Having made a multi-year commitment, Lee and Gersh intend to expand the program in the future with additional resources and fellows.

The fellowship program will tentatively begin in February with five fellows selected by a panel including Spike Lee, the AUCC campus community and Gersh management. The online application process is set to begin February 1.

For more information, visit the AUCC website.

The Spelman College Office of Career Planning and Development (CPD) will host a Spring 2023 Career & Graduate School Fair on Feb. 8, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the Wellness Center. Developed to help prepare students for future career opportunities and post-undergraduate studies, this event is open to all current Spelman students.

In addition to having the opportunity to network with over 100 recruiters, students will gain valuable tools through pre-networking events, such as an informative student town hall meeting, gap year and resume workshops, mock interviews and the Spelman + JC Penny Suit-Up Event.

For more information, visit Spelman’s CPD page.

Spelman College’s Division of Student Affairs looks forward to welcoming families who have registered for the Family Weekend 2023 (February 17-19).

Less than a month away, Family Weekend is an exciting, fun-filled celebration for students, parents, families, friends and community supporters.

The weekend is packed with a variety of activities and events that provide a glimpse into the campus life and student experience at Spelman College. There are several live virtual events and experiences for the entire family to enjoy including tours of the campus, the wellness program and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art; and the President’s Breakfast and annual Family Weekend BBQ.

Family Weekend is always a wonderful time for everyone on our campus to connect and learn more about the Spelman experience.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit Spelman’s Family Weekend page.

It’s a great time to work at Spelman College! With a variety of perks and benefits for staff, including tuition waivers, health and wellness resources, and a beautiful, historic campus, Spelman is more than a place to work.

The Spelman College Division of Institutional Advancement is seeking motivated candidates to fill the following positions:

Digital Fundraising Officer
Leadership Gifts Officer

Below are additional staff opportunities:

Floor Technician
Groundskeeper
Housekeeper
Campus Driver and Expeditor
Public Safety Officer
eSpelman Database Assistant

To apply, or to learn more about these and other positions, visit Spelman.edu.

Elizabeth Blount McCormick, C’2000, was recently recognized as the 2022 CEO of the Year Small For Profit by Columbus CEO magazine. McCormick is the president and co-owner of Uniglobe Travel Designers—an independently owned franchise of Uniglobe Travel International that specializes in coordinating complex travel arrangements for the diverse needs of individuals, groups and corporate partners.

After receiving a B.A. in psychology from Spelman College, Blount McCormick kickstarted her career in retail, which includes experience as a production manager for women’s denim at Gap Inc. and fashion brand founded by U2’s Bono, Edun. After building an extensive background in retail and corporate traveling, Blount McCormick began her career at Uniglobe in 2006.

Since then, she has garnered numerous career accolades, including being named as a visionary finalist by the National Association of Women Business Owners, honored as a member of Columbus Business First’s prestigious class of 40 under 40 and winning the 2014 Frederick J. Yates Memorial Scholarship Minority Business Award.

Blount McCormick continues to improve the Columbus, Ohio community through her membership with the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of Central Ohio, the Columbus Small Business Council, the United Negro College Fund Leadership Council, and the National Association of Women’s Business Owners-Columbus.