With a legacy of leadership, scholarship and service, Mallory Butts, C’2025, is closing out her undergraduate journey as the 41st Miss Spelman College — and one of the institution’s most decorated graduates — when she crosses the stage on Sunday, May 18. An Atlanta native and honors student, Butts is earning a dual degree in chemistry and chemical engineering with aspirations to become a cosmetic chemical engineer.
“I plan to become a cosmetic chemical engineer to address skincare treatment disparities among people of color. My time at Spelman has taught me many lessons. One of the most prominent is to seek community everywhere I go. My entire Spelman journey has been fueled by the many sectors of sisterhood of campus,” said Butts.
I’ve learned the value of community in multiple facets: leadership, friendship, education, service, etc. I envision my future to be one where I hold on to the precious bonds I’ve built at Spelman, which nurture and foster who I am and who I am becoming. Additionally, Spelman has taught me the importance of protecting my intellectual curiosity. Beyond being a formal student, I aspire to continue to be curious and find communities that will foster.”
During her matriculation, Butts was the recipient of Spelman’s Dewitt Dean’s Scholarship (full tuition), HBCU Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Scholarship, American Chemical Society Scholarship, Southeast Chapter of The Society of Cosmetic Chemists Scholarship, Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship, Bill Maness Good Samaritan Scholarship, Southeast Region of The Links, Inc., and HBCU Servant Leader Scholarship.
Butts was also engaged at Spelman in the Ethel Wadell Githi Honors Program, Granddaughters’ Club, Chemistry Club, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program, and more. She earned honors and awards such as the Neiman Marcus Group Sustainable Fashion Scholar, Fashion Scholarship Fund x Virgil Abloh ™ “Post-Modern” Scholar. She was named Glamour Magazine's College Woman of the Year in 2022.
Butts will continue to grow her ambitious spirit and believes Spelman prepared her for any future challenges she may face.
“Some challenges I anticipate are associated with having to work and collaborate with people who may not see my full potential, but I look forward to proving those voices wrong through fostering a supportive community, staying focused on my goals, remaining passionate, and staying true to who I am,” Butts said.
“I am motivated by potential. I am excited at the mere glimpse of all God has done and will do in my life, and I look forward to continuing to walk down the path laid out before me, knowing that goodness is already assured.”