A Message From the President

Home > Strategic Plan > President's Message

Leading Through Change

Rosalind Brewer Spelman College has a history of attracting talented students, brilliant faculty, dedicated staff, and strong, stable leadership, resulting in recognition as the #1 HBCU for 19 consecutive years. The College now ranks among the top 40 liberal arts colleges nationwide, an acknowledgement of our institutional strengths and competitive student outcomes. Our growth in reputation reflects a commitment to continuous improvement, and importantly, brings increased opportunities for strategic growth and partnerships that further our goals.

As we now confront new challenges that limit student access to federally-sponsored loan funds; require graduate earnings standards by program; and impose restrictions on advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion, it may feel like we are moving backwards. Challenging though our circumstances may be, they are not new. Indeed, we are descended from survivors of Reconstruction more than a century has passed.

Our current Reconstruction is daunting, but not disabling; disappointing, but not surprising; difficult, but not insurmountable. At this critical intersection, higher education is required to change in order to meet the moment. From Reconstruction to Reconstruction, we recognize that underserved communities must be most agile to avoid regression to a time when education, and higher education in particular, were unreachable goals for many. In opposition to that unfortunate legacy of oppression and discrimination, we assert our rights and responsibilities to serve the underserved at the highest level we can attain.

As we consider what a Future-Ready Spelman College should emphasize now and in the coming decades, we contemplate how we might build on our accomplishments in innovative ways. Our focus remains the education of women of African descent, but we seek to have a broader reach for that population and others who may seek the distinct benefits of a Spelman education.

We have historically remained a strictly in-person learning environment, but we demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic that we can deliver curricular content effectively via digital platforms. Maintaining our campus infrastructure is growing more challenging, with new building projects and specialized spaces. We now require a broad array of support services for in-person and virtual learning experiences. These are mere examples of areas where Spelman has become a more complex institution, outgrowing our traditional boundaries and processes. It calls us to consider what should be next to leverage the College’s mission and strengthen its influence on matters of great importance.

Consistent with democratic ideals, commitments to social justice, and work to promote the elimination of inequities and inequality, Spelman’s future remains bright. It inspires this call to action—to reach even higher goals than we have ever achieved, to ensure the viability and growth of Spelman College. Join us on this journey of renewal and progress! Consistent with democratic ideals, commitments to social justice, and work to promote the elimination of inequities and inequality, Spelman’s future remains bright. It inspires this call to action—to reach even higher goals than we have ever achieved, to ensure the viability and growth of Spelman College. Join us on this journey of renewal and progress!

Spelman College Mission

Spelman College, a historically Black college and a global leader in the education of women of African descent, is dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and the intellectual, creative, ethical, and leadership development of its students. Through diverse learning modalities, Spelman empowers the whole person to engage the many cultures of the world and inspires a commitment to positive social change.