Michelle Hite, Ph.D
Program Director
Office | 404-270-5664
Fax | 404-270-5666
Michelle S. Hite, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of English at Spelman College, where she also directs the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program and prestigious international fellowships. Her teaching and research interests in death and mourning in African American Culture, Southern Studies, and Toni Morrison support the Literary and Textual Studies concentration in the major.
Dr. Hite’s most recent publications use Beyonce and rapper Andre Benjamin to explore death and mourning in African American culture. Her most recent meditation on Toni Morrison appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the author’s passing. She can also be heard discussing the cultural impact of Morrison’s loss in conversation with NPR’s Rose Scott. Dr. Hite’s manuscript, Toni Morrison and Portraits of Human Richness is currently under contract with McFarland Press.
Cynthia Cooke
Program Coordinator
Office | 404-270-5665
Fax | 404-270-5666
Email | ccooke@spelman.edu
Cynthia Cooke has been an employee of Spelman College since 1992. She has given excellent service to the Honors Program since 2006, first as the Senior Administrative Assistant and now as the Program Coordinator. Before that, she was instrumental in the creation of one of the College’s core requirements, African Diaspora and the World. Also during her years here, she worked with the Spelman College Nursery. Working with the Honors students has become a major source of pride for her. Seeing the young ladies come in as fledgling seekers and leaving as independent scholars have provided her with continuous fulfillment. Cynthia has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Georgia State University.
The 2023-2024 E-Board
Nikira Walter
President
Nikira Walter is a senior Mathematics Major and Management and Organization Minor from McKinney, Texas. With aspirations to attend graduate school to receive her PhD in Statistics, Nikira hopes to have a career as an actuary before eventually becoming a mathematics professor. This is Nikira’s fourth year on the Executive Board, as she has served previously as the Co-Community Service Chair her first two years. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program E-board because she has a passion for investing and developing the intellectual community within our program because it is a privilege to have access to the opportunities and networking that the Honors program opens up for us, with the reach being limitless. It inspired her to want to contribute in any way possible.
Kyra McGee
Vice President
Kyra McGee is a senior Political Science major and English minor on the pre-law track from Little Rock, Arkansas. She has ambitions to attend law school after Spelman and wants to start a nonprofit to help underprivileged Black students who do not have access to LSAT study materials and opportunities. Kyra is serving for her second year on the executive board, previously serving as the SGA liaison and Intern Secretary. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program E-board because she wanted to grow as a leader and scholar by serving on the executive board for the program.
Gabi Harris
Secretary
Gabi Harris is a second-year Comparative Women’s Studies and Political Science double major from Richmond, Virgina. Gabi has aspirations to become a civil attorney and policymaker after Spelman College. This is Gabi’s first year on the executive board. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program E-board to form meaningful relationships with other Honors students and to have an opportunity to cultivate a welcoming community.
Corinne Salter
Treasurer
Cori Salter is a junior Economics major from Chicago, Illinois. This is Cori’s second year on the executive board. Previously serving as the Secretary and Interim Vice President during her first year. She joined the E-board to become a representative for her class and strive to improve the program.
Asata Young
Historian
Asata Young is sophomore Art History major from Chicago, Illinois. She has aspirations to become a curator or archivist after Spelman. This is her first year on the executive board. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program e-board to be able to capture the legacy and preserve the history of the program.
Amia Loveless
Publicity Chair
Amia Loveless is a junior Psychology major and a Chemistry minor from Teaneck, New Jersey. She has ambitions to become a neuroscientist after Spelman College. Amia has served on the executive board for two years, serving as the same position during her first year on the board. She joined the honors e-board to become more involved in the organization and our intellectual community.
Carson Pauling
Co-Community Service Chair
Carson Pauling is a senior Biology Major on the Pre-Medical Track from Charlotte, North Carolina. Carson has aspirations to become a Neurosurgeon due to her passion for science and her desire to address medical disparities in our communities. Carson has served on the Executive Board for two years, serving as the Co-Community Service Chair during both years. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program E-board to increase her involvement within the program that she values and loves. She is excited for the fellowship between our members and the year to come.
Mackenzie Hickson
Co-Community Service Chair
Mackenzie Hickson is a sophomore Health Science Major and Comparative Women’s Studies Minor from Austin, Texas. Mackenzie has ambitions to work either within the Public Health or Public Policy Reform sector. She is serving for the Executive Board for the second year, previously serving as the First-Year Liaison. Mackenzie joined the honors e-board because she is invested in cultivating an intellectual community that is fun and rewarding while also being challenging. Her goal is to make everyone feel included and supported through our events and interactions.
Alyshea Furman
Co-Social Chair
Alyshea Furman is a junior English major from Middletown, New York. She has aspirations to work in literary publishing and editing. This is her first year on the executive board. She joined because she is dedicated to fostering an environment that can be regarded as a safe intellectual space for those who struggle with collegiate anxieties.
Kai Hardimon
Co-Social Chair
Kai Hardimon is a sophomore Economics Major and Management and Organization Minor from Acworth, Georgia. She has career interests within the entrepreneurship and education sectors. This is Kai’s first year on the executive board and she joined to better contribute to the academic excellence and community within the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program.
Kennedi Munson
First-Year Liaison
Kennedi Munson is a first-year Comparative Women’s Studies Major and Art minor from Panama City, Panama. Kennedi has aspirations in activism and non-profit work that supports marginalized communities (i.e. women, queer community, people of color). This is Kennedi’s first year on the executive board and she joined the e-board to have insight within the program and be a reliable voice for the people within her class who need extra guidance or information.
Kendall Mitchell
First-Year Liaison
Kendall Mitchell is a first-year Psychology Major with a concentration in Mental Health from Decatur, Georgia. Kendall has ambitions to be a pediatric psychologist. This is Kendall’s first year on the executive board and she joined because she felt her personality of being approachable, a great listener, and sociable would make her a great candidate to make sure her sisters always felt heard, updated consistently on new information, and answering any questions to the best of her ability. Especially due to psychology being her passion, she aims to make people feel heard as it is crucial that they genuinely felt listened to. This passion would drive her to be her sisters’ best spokeswoman and representative.
NaDae Ingham
Intern
NaDae Ingham is a first-year Health Science Major on the pre-med track from Bermuda. She has hopes of becoming a plastic surgeon. This is her first year on the executive board. NaDae joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program Executive Board because she wanted to be a supportive person for her incoming peers to aid in a smooth transition to the program and Spelman College overall. The transition from high school to college can be difficult, however having a friendly face to answer questions and to support you can help the difficult transition. Being a part of the Honors Program Student Association Executive Board will put her in a position to be at the forefront of welcoming and aiding in the adjustment to college for incoming Spelmanites.
Shelby Rae Williams
Intern
Shelby Rae Williams is a first-year Health Science major and Spanish minor on the pre-med track. She is striving to become an obstetrician gynecologist. This is her first year on the executive board. She joined the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program e-board to be hands-on with the mission and goals of the honors program.