Spelman College

Spelman College continues to lead! We’re proud to be named the No. 1 HBCU for the 19th year in a row by @usnews. We also ranked No. 2 in Social Mobility, No. 7 in Learning Communities, and are proud to remain among the top 40 National Liberal Arts Colleges. View all of our 2025–2026 rankings: tinyurl.com/4ybvw9a9 #SpelmanExcellence

In the 1960s, Dr. Mozel Spriggs founded the Dance Program at Spelman College, establishing it within the Physical Education Department before it later became part of the Drama Department with a concentration in Dance. For 27 years, Dr. Spriggs served as chair of the Fine Arts Division and director of Spelman’s dance program, helping shape generations of artists, scholars, and performers until her retirement in 1991. Her legacy continues to move us in performances, in classrooms, and throughout the arts. #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead #DanceAtSpelman

Congratulations to Spelman students Sophia Wade, C’2028, and Hayley Ponds, C’2029, who have been selected for the Frederick Douglass–Daniel O’Connell Global Internship. This summer, Ponds and Wade will join a distinguished cohort of 14 students for an eight-week program in Dublin, Ireland. Co-sponsored by CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, African American Irish Diaspora Network, and The John & Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, the program honors the legacy of Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell by preparing young leaders for global careers and impact. Read more: spelman.edu/news/2026/03/s…

Sonah Bundu, C'2025, is turning passion into purpose. While at Spelman, she founded the Spelman Society of Cosmetics Club, creating a space for students interested in beauty, business, and cosmetic science to explore careers in the industry. Immediately after graduation, Sonah began her professional journey at Louis Vuitton’s New York City corporate office, where she later transitioned into La Beauté Louis Vuitton. Her path from Spelman to Louis Vuitton has been deeply intentional, and she credits Spelman for shaping the leadership, creativity, and ambition that guide her today. #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead

Spelman College is proud to announce that we are a Top Producer for the Gilman Program over the entire 25-year history of the program. We are honored to work with our students and the Gilman Program to support talented American undergraduate students to study or intern abroad. Read more: spelman.edu/news/2026/03/s… #SpelmanAbroad #SpelmanExcellence

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Founded in 1981 by scholar, activist, and alumna Beverly Guy-Sheftall, C’66, the Center has helped define the field of Black Women’s Studies and amplify the voices and scholarship of women of African descent. A visionary educator and author of seminal works like Words of Fire: An Anthology of African American Feminist Thought, Dr. Guy-Sheftall’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Spelmanites and scholars worldwide. #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead

This year, the Spelpreneur 10-Day Startup Competition was proudly renamed the Jane E. Smith 10-Day Startup Competition, honoring the visionary behind Spelman’s co-curricular entrepreneurship programming. The competition featured a record-breaking 16 teams (42 students) who spent 10 days developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Congratulations to this year’s winning teams: 1st Place – $3,500: JLarae
 Founders: Jasmyn Wilson C’2028, Jewelia Taylor C’2028, K’Myrah Moona-Reid C’2028. 2nd Place – $2,500: YARD
 Founders: Kharma Wilson C’2027, Kiah Smith C’2029. 3rd Place – $1,500: Conceal It
 Founders: Gabrielle Walker C’2028, Olivia Ohlson C’2029, Olivia Ormsby C’2029, Rahja Francis C’2026. Viewer’s Choice Award – $500
 ShadeSync Founders: Janii Corneh C’2029, Jayla Stovall C’2029, Nadia Linear C’2029, and Zara Annan C’2029. We are proud of these student entrepreneurs who are transforming ideas into solutions that matter. #Spelpreneur #spelmanexcellence

Spelman excellence shines bright! We’re celebrating members of our community who took home wins at the NAACP Image Awards. Lynae Vanee, C’2016, won Outstanding Digital Content Creator, Political/Culture, honoring her powerful voice in digital storytelling and cultural commentary. Shola Lynch, Diana King Endowed Professor, was recognized for her film Number One on the Call Sheet, which won Outstanding Documentary (Television) and Outstanding Directing in a Documentary. Congratulations to these extraordinary storytellers whose work continues to inform, inspire, and elevate our communities. #NAACPImageAwards #SpelmanExcellence

Celebrating the voices of Spelman students this International Women’s Day! Hear from our students as they share their perspectives, passions, and purpose. Their stories showcase leadership, impact, and how they are shaping tomorrow. #IWD2026 #WomenShapingTomorrow

We kicked off Women’s History Month with Spelfluencer 2026: Monetizing Your Content and Connecting with Brands! Spelmanites connected with alumnae and student influencers while gaining insights on building their digital brands. A huge thank you to our panelists: Shanita Miller, founder of Black Girls’ Guide to Atlanta; Morehouse alumnus Jordan Phillips ’25; Ajah Hentz, C’2025; Tamar Lucas, C’2026; and Ariel Neal, C’2026, for sharing their expertise, and to our moderator, Taylor Mills, C’2026. DJ Sky kept the energy high throughout the event, and attendees were treated to special gifts from Brown GIRL Jane and SpelBox. #Spelfluencer #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead

The second Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Distinguished Lecture Series event of the academic year brought together conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas for a compelling conversation about the role of archives in art and curatorial practice. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Cheryl Finley, Walton Endowed Professor and Director of the AUC Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective, offering insights into how artists and curators engage with history to shape contemporary perspectives. #AUCArtHistory

Big congratulations to our inaugural Spotify Podcast Competition winners. 1st Place: “A Spelmanite’s World” Hosts: MaKenzi Henderson, C’2029, & Madison Norwood, C’2029; 2nd Place: “What You Mean By That?” Host: Bryanna Hightower, C’2028. Your creativity, storytelling, and bold voices are shaping the future of audio. Special thanks to Spotify and Gavin Guidry, Creative Director of the Spotify for Creators team, for pouring into our students and supporting the next generation of creators. #spotifyforcreators

Meet Ana Villavasso, C’2026, and Rayya Bernhardt, C’2025, co-founders and co-presidents of WI3DP: Women in 3D Printing, Atlanta Chapter. WI3DP is an international organization committed to expanding access, education, and opportunity for women in additive manufacturing industries. Building access. Creating pathways. Changing who gets to innovate. #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead #InnovationAtSpelman

At Spelman College, we don’t just celebrate women’s history, we create it. This Women’s History Month, we honor the bold thinkers, barrier breakers, and change makers who are shaping what’s next through innovation, leadership, and impact. The future isn’t waiting. Spelman women are building it. #WomenShapingTomorrow #SpelmanWomenLead #SpelmanShapesTomorrow

That’s a wrap on Family Weekend 2026! From campus tours and special events to quality time with loved ones, the weekend was filled with connection, celebration, and the unmistakable spirit of Spelman. Seeing our Spelmanites share their world with their families made it truly unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s Family Weekend such a success. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year! #SpelmanFamilyWeekend #SpelmanFamilyWeekend2026

For three decades, the curators of the Spelman Museum have been the heart behind the art, shaping the way we experience culture, history, and creativity. Their leadership and vision have preserved stories, highlighted voices, and inspired generations of artists, scholars, and museum-goers. We honor: Dr. Jontyle Theresa Robinson, Anne Collins Smith, C’96, Dr. Rhea L. Combs, Karen Comer Lowe, Dr. Brandy Pettijohn, and Dr. Chaunesti Webb-Johnson. From groundbreaking exhibitions to educational initiatives and community engagement, these curators have made the Museum a vital space where art, history, and culture converge. Their work honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future. #spelmanmuseum