April 20: In-Person Summer Programs Transition to Virtual Formats

In-Person Summer Programs Transition to Virtual Formats
The College recently announced the suspension of all in-person, on-campus programs slated for summer 2020. The decision, which was announced in a letter to the community on Tuesday, April 14, is based on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and guidance from federal, state and local authorities. All summer programs for high school and current students, including the College Prep Institute, the Early College Program and the Early College Program in Art History & Curatorial Studies, will now be delivered virtually. Applications for Spelman's pre-college programs are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the programs are full. More information about pre-college programs can be found on Spelman.edu. Please continue to visit the Coronavirus Update and FAQs page for more information on campus changes related to COVID-19.

Spelman Trustee Receives Dr. John Hope Franklin Award
Spelman Trustee Walter Allen, Ph.D., has been recognized by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education with the John Hope Franklin Award. A nationally renowned and distinguished scholar of education, sociology and African American studies, Dr. Allen is a distinguished professor of education and sociology and the Allan Murray Carter professor of higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles. A longtime advocate of equitable education, Dr. Allen is the founder and director of the Choices Program, a research initiative created to improve the academic opportunities and achievements of African American and Latino students in California’s higher education system. Past recipients of the Franklin Award have included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Maya Angelou and Spelman’s seventh president Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D.

Senior Lands Research Opportunity with Chicago Federal Reserve Bank
Following graduation, Jala Ashan Abner, C’2020, will study the fluctuations of the economy as a research assistant at the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. A native of Inglewood, California, Abner is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental and developmental economics and wants to play an active role in policymaking. Recently, Abner co-authored a research paper on poverty and malnutrition within the various provinces of Zimbabwe. The paper, which was published by the United States Agency for International Development, provided the Zimbabwean government with possible actions and solutions to combat social issues related to poverty. During her matriculation through Spelman, Abner served as the president of Spelman’s Environmental Task Force and worked as a teaching assistant in the College’s economics department. She is also actively involved in several extracurricular activities, including volunteering at local community gardens.

Spelman's Glee Club Celebrates 95th Anniversary Through Virtual Glee Week
This week, Spelman’s Music Department will host Glee Week. The week of events, led by Spelman alumnae, celebrates 95 years of the Glee Club’s choral excellence. The week kicks off with "The Working Artist’s Journey," hosted by Brittany Inge, C’2011, via Zoom. The week will end with the popular Spelchella festival featuring Glee Club members and alumnae via IG Live. The events are open to all as a gift from the Glee Club to the greater community. A full schedule of events can be found on Spelman.edu.