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Spelman Student Government Association President, Fana HaileSelassie, C'2021, was one of four students from historically Black colleges and universities selected to participate in an exclusive conversation with Democratic Vice President nominee Senator Kamala Harris.

Hosted by media personality and HBCU alum Terrence J, "
Black America Votes: HBCU Students Interview Sen. Kamala Harris" livestreamed from BET.com on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The event is part of a larger national effort to inspire voting during the 2020 election season.

In her question to Senator Harris, HaileSelassie, who was a public policy and international affairs junior summer institute fellow at Carnegie Mellon through their Heinz Graduate College, referenced how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted employment opportunities for the thousands of students graduating from college in May 2020.

"If efforts to alleviate the COVID-19 pandemic are not successful by 2021 my graduating class could very well face the same circumstance," she said. "What federal relief efforts, such as unemployment relief, the suspension of student loan payments or payroll support for business would you commit to in the event of another COVID-19 recession?"

To familiarize yourself with important upcoming campaign dates, including deadlines to register to vote and more, visit USA Vote Foundation, and the Emerson Collective’s 10 Simple Steps to Vote.

Key dates to keep in mind include:

  • September 29: First Presidential Debate
  • October 5: Voter Education Week
  • October 7: Vice Presidential Debate
  • October 15: Second Presidential Debate
  • October 22: Third Presidential Debate
  • October 24: Vote Early Day
  • November 3: Election Day
Spelman College Announces the Inaugural Recipients of the John Lewis Scholarship

Five Spelman students have been selected to receive the first scholarships named in honor of Congressman John Lewis.

The 2020 cohort of inaugural scholars includes seniors Maya Barnes, Keymari Johnson, Tekiah McClary and Rayven Peterson, and junior Alix Swann.

In honor of his life's work, the endowed scholarship will provide a one-time tuition contribution of $10,000 every year to five Social Justice Fellows.

Spelman’s Social Justice Fellows Program, led by Cynthia Neal Spence, Ph.D., C'78, associate professor of sociology, is a living and learning programmatic initiative designed to create opportunities for a select group of Spelman women to make a choice to change the world through advocacy.

"We believe that Congressman Lewis would be proud to know that these young scholar activists are carrying on his legacy," said Dr. Spence.

Spelman will partner with Carrier, a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions, to create one-of-a-kind programs to help students develop career skills.

The five-year commitment will create two flagship programs to prepare Spelman students to enter the workforce. The Carrier Ambassadors Program for Spelman honors students, created in collaboration with the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program, is a joint development and mentoring program. As Carrier Ambassadors, students will attend a five-week discussion series, organized by Michelle Hite, Ph.D., director of the Spelman’s honors program. The series will feature Carrier leaders speaking about their career experiences and different pathways to success. Students in the program will have additional opportunities to meet and network with Carrier professionals throughout the year.

Carrier will also support the refresh of Spelman’s Virtual Career Center with new content and videos on careers in the HVAC, refrigeration and fire and security industries, as well as links to career opportunities on jobs.Carrier.com.

"Carrier’s new commitment to supporting Spelman students couldn’t come at a better time. With the suspension of in-person career fairs, one of the challenges students are facing in our new virtual environment is connecting with potential employers and mentors," said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. "We look forward to working with Carrier to help our students identify and pursue their career goals."

Campus Highlights

For many current and former Spelman students, Spelprenuer has served as the impetus for jump starting their entrepreneurial pursuits.

The College’s co-curricular entrepreneurship education initiative that introduces Spelman students to the fundamentals that will advance their knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship will kick-off on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

This year the program, which will be held virtually, will offer sessions on how to start an innovative business, entrepreneur chats and a 10-day startup competition.

For Amari Cash, C’2022, participating in Spelpreneuer has been one of the best experiences she has had during her time at Spelman.

"I had no idea I was capable of creating a pitch deck from scratch in only
10 days," she said. "My teammates and I had access to some of the best mentors in the city and they instilled the confidence we needed to successfully present in front of an impressive board of judges. I hope my Spelman sisters will always have access to life-changing programs such as Spelpreneur."

Cash will moderate an entrepreneur chat with Bea Dixon, founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

To learn more, visit Spelman.edu.
Alumnae Highlights

Celeste Watkins-Hayes, Ph.D., C'96,
recently received dual recognition from the University of Michigan Regents.

Dr. Watkins-Hayes was appointed the Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy for a five-year renewable term. The Fairfax Collegiate Professorship was established at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy in July 2020.

The Regents also approved the five-year appointment of Dr. Watkins-Hayes as a University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through her scholarship, teaching and service.

An internationally-recognized scholar and expert on HIV/AIDS, urban poverty, social policy, and racial, class, and gender inequality, Dr. Watkins-Hayes is also a former Spelman trustee.

Her work illuminates the impact of the HIV epidemic on women and safety-net organizations to scholars, communities and policymakers.
Events
 

July 14 - Nov. 12

Sept. 28 - Oct. 2

Oct. 2-4

Oct. 11-18
Official End of Semester

Nov. 26-27
Thanksgiving Holiday (College Closed)

Spelman Scenes
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