Presidential Search

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The College’s Next President

The Spelman College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the search has officially begun for the 12th president of Spelman College. As we embark on this vital process, we are committed to keeping the Spelman Community and beyond informed. We will continue to provide updates and opportunities for engagement as we move through the various phases of the search. Your perspective is invaluable, and we look forward to working together to find the next visionary leader who will build upon Spelman’s rich legacy.

A Look at Spelman College

Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, we became Spelman College in 1924. Today, Spelman stands as a global leader in the education of women of African descent with a student body that comprises more than 2,600 students from around the world. Spelman empowers women to engage the many cultures of the world and inspires a commitment to positive social change through service. We are dedicated to academic excellence and the intellectual, creative, ethical and leadership development of our students.

Learn More About Spelman

Seach Firm and Committee

Isaacson, Miller

We are delighted to announce the selection of Isaacson, Miller (IM) as our presidential search partner. Isaacson, Miller distinguished itself through its depth of experience in higher education leadership searches and its deep understanding of Spelman’s mission, culture, and values. The firm’s team expressed an authentic grasp of our aspirations for this next chapter in Spelman’s history and demonstrated the capacity to identify exceptional leaders who will embody Spelman’ vision and legacy.

Search Committee

The Presidential Search and Nomination Committee (PSNC) will work closely with Isaacson, Miller to develop a diverse and accomplished pool of candidates for our next president. The PSNC is committed to leading a comprehensive, inclusive, and mission-driven process that honors the integrity of Spelman’s traditions while appropriately engaging our community along the way.

  • Trustee Cara Johnson Hughes, C’2003
  • Trustee Susan Dunn
  • Trustee Kamau Bobb, Ph.D.
  • Trustee Kaye Foster
  • Trustee Allegra Lawrence Hardy, C’93
  • Trustee Cheryl Mayberry McKissack
  • Trustee Larry Schall
  • Trustee Zoe Shepard, C’2026
  • Trustee Angela Farris Watkins, Ph.D., C’86, Associate Professor of Psychology; Director, Leadership and Civic Engagement Program (LEADS)
  • Trustee Lovette Russell, C’83, Board Chair, ex officio
  • Ms. Sefanit Abbi, C’2026, Student, Political Science Major / Pre-Law Track
  • Michelle Hite, Ph.D., Director, Honors Program; Associate Professor, Literature, Media, and Writing
  • Mr. Nelson Thomas, Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement
  • Leyte Winfield, Ph.D., Division Chair, Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Mr. Justin Dean, Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Presidential Search Process and Timeline

In the weeks ahead, the PSNC and Isaacson, Miller will begin engaging members of the Spelman community through listening sessions designed to gather input on the qualities and vision we seek in our next president. These conversations will inform the leadership profile that will guide the search process.