Top 10 Graduates

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Spelman College Top 10 Graduates

Spelman College Class of 2025

Each year, Spelman College honors the graduating seniors whose academic excellence and leadership reflect the College’s core values of service, scholarship and sisterhood. The Class of 2025’s Top Ten graduates represent a dynamic blend of majors and career aspirations—from biochemistry and political science to psychology and marketing. Notably, four students earned the distinction of valedictorian by achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. At Spelman, multiple valedictorians are named when more than one graduate achieves this academic benchmark. Latin honors are awarded based on GPA thresholds, recognizing students who graduate cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

Spelman College’s Class of 2025 includes a cohort of ten standout graduates whose academic performance, public service, and global engagement reflect both the institution’s rigorous standards and its mission to shape Black women into leaders. Representing disciplines across the sciences, humanities and social justice sectors, these students—four of whom earned valedictorian honors—are poised to advance equity and innovation in fields ranging from biomedical research and public policy to law, psychology and marketing.

Spelman awards the title of valedictorian to all graduating seniors who achieve a perfect 4.0 GPA, with salutatorian honors given to the next highest-ranking graduate. Latin honors—cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude—are determined based on cumulative GPA thresholds set by the College.

 

2025 Valedictorians

Valedictorian: Sydney Victoria Scott, C'2025
Major: Biochemistry - (Summa Cum Laude)

Sydney Victoria Scott, a senior biochemistry major, has distinguished herself through a remarkable commitment to academic excellence, undergraduate research and peer support.
Spelman Valedictorian, Sydney Victoria Scott, C'2025
Valedictorian: Nichele Olivia-Lanett Washington, C'2025
Major: Political Science | Minor: Philosophy - (Summa Cum Laude)

Nichele Olivia-Lanett Washington is a political science major with a minor in philosophy whose work has centered on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women in the United States.
Spelman Valedictorian, Nichele Olivia-Lanett Washington, C'2025
Valedictorian: Shiloh Gabrielle Wolfork, C'2025
Major: English | Minor: Management and Organization - (Summa Cum Laude)

Shiloh Gabrielle Wolfork, an English major from Cincinnati, Ohio, has combined her love for writing with a deep commitment to service and social justice.
Spelman Valedictorian, Shiloh Gabrielle Wolfork, C'2025
Valedictorian: Camille Danielle Young, C'2025 
Major: Political Science | Minor: Spanish - (Summa Cum Laude)

Camille Danielle Young is a political science major and Spanish minor from Columbia, Maryland. Young was named a 2023–2024 White House HBCU Scholar and served as vice president of the Spelman Student Ambassadors.
Spelman Valedictorian, Camille Danielle Young, C'2025

 

2025 Top 10 Graduates (continued)

Salutatorian: Adelle Kenia Durand, C'2025
Spelman Salutatorian, Adelle Kenia Durand, C'2025 
Major: Biology - (Summa Cum Laude)

Adelle Kenia Durand, a first-generation college student from Wesley, Dominica, will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in biology.

View Adelle Kenia Durand's Bio

Top Ten Graduate: Kyndall Elizabeth Cox, C'2025
Spelman Top Ten Graduate, Kyndall Elizabeth Cox, C'2025 
Major: Political Science - (Summa Cum Laude)

Kyndall Elizabeth Cox is a political science major and Presidential Scholar who has combined academic excellence with service and entrepreneurship.

View Kyndall Elizabeth Cox's Bio

Top Ten Graduate: Lindsey Grace Fiesta, C'2025
Spelman Top Ten Graduate, Lindsey Grace Fiesta, C'2025 
Major: Psychology (Mental Health) - (Summa Cum Laude)

Lindsey Grace Fiesta is a developmental and child psychology major who has combined her academic studies with a passion for service.

View Lindsey Grace Fiesta's Bio

Top Ten Graduate: Taylor Dominique Kerr, C'2025
Spelman Top 10 Graduate, Taylor Dominique Kerr, C'2025 
Major: Psychology - (Summa Cum Laude)

Taylor Dominique Kerr is a graduating senior majoring in psychology who has demonstrated consistent excellence in academics, service and leadership.

View Taylor Dominique Kerr's Bio

Top Ten Graduate: Nya Sarai Marshall, C'2025
Spelman Top Ten Graduate, Nya Sarai Marshall, C'2025 
Major: Psychology | Minor: Management and Organization - (Summa Cum Laude) 

Nya Sarai Marshall is a Dean’s List student and psychology major whose impressive track record includes internships with McKinsey & Company and Versace.

View Nya Sarai Marshall 's Bio

Top Ten Graduate: Zoe Elon Purdy, C'2025
Spelman Top Ten Graduate, Zoe Elon Purdy, C'2025 
Major: Sociology (Pre-Law Track) - (Summa Cum Laude)

Zoe Elon Purdy is a sociology major on the pre-law. She served as a student ambassador, participated in SpelREADS, and held leadership roles.

View Zoe Elon Purdy's Bio