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About Us

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The Spelman Sloan program is uniquely significant in that it serves as both a gateway and a pipeline to more Black women asking the important questions in economics. The Sloan program is educating the next generation of social scientists to ask, analyze and optimize the world in which we live. It's a phenomenal opportunity.

-- Suneye Rae Holmes, M.A., Economics instructor for Spelman College and the Sloan Program

Our Goals

Use your economics degree as a career instead of a business
Prepare for graduate school
Give you a strong mathematical foundation
Apply for entry into economics graduate programs
Get paid to research, learn and earn a $3,000 stipend
Upgrade your resume and LinkedIn profile

Economists and economic theory impact virtually every aspect of policy making in this country. This groundbreaking grant from the Sloan Foundation seeks to reverse this trend by building on Spelman College’s strong mathematics and economics departments in a way that encourages more students to choose an academic path that leads to graduate studies, a Ph.D. in economics and a voice at important policy making decisions!

-- Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., President of Spelman College,

Our Purpose

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Adapting the Women in STEM Summer Program model for economics and bringing together other activities and experiences will afford Spelman students with portfolios enabling them to attain graduate degrees and become in-demand professionals in the field!

-- Elizabeth S. Boylan, Ph.D., Program Director for the Sloan Foundation,

Why is the Spelman Sloan Program Important?

When compared to business, social science, STEM, and humanities, the field of economics continues to lag in representation, with little to no improvement indicated over time, said Marionette Holmes, Ph.D., C’90, associate professor and chair of the economics department at Spelman.

There are several factors that led to the low number of African American students enrolled in economic degree programs. Some students are intimidated by the high-level math classes needed to excel in the discipline, and there’s a perception that economics is a dry subject.

Some students are intimidated by the high-level math classes needed to excel in this discipline Large Blue Quote Right

and there is also a perception that economics is a dry subject. When I attended Spelman my father, who was a Political Science Professor, suggested that if I really wanted to influence the landscape for African Americans I should go into economics. He saw Economics as a way to effect policy and make both a cultural and global impact!

-- Marionette Holmes, Ph.D., C’90, Associate Professor and Chair of the Economics Department, Spelman College