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 2022-2023 E-Board
Olivia Duever
President
Hello! My name is Olivia Duever, senior, chemistry major and music minor, with a career goal of becoming a dentist, from Athens, GA. I will be headed to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in the fall! And currently I serve as the president.
Corinne Salter
Vice President
My name is Corinne Salter, I am a second year Economics major, Art minor from Chicago, IL. I currently serve as Vice President of the Honors Program Student Association. I aspire for a career in social impact and public policy consulting, and want to dedicate my life to racial equity in the United States.
Kyra McGee 
Secretary/SGA Liaison
Hi! My name is Kyra McGee, a junior political science major and English minor from Maumelle, AR, on the pre-law track. I serve as the Secretary and SGA Liaison!
Vierra Queen
Historian
Hello! My name is Vierra Queen an art history and international studies double major from Silver Spring, Maryland . I am an Ethel Waddell Githii honors program member and a member of the AUC Art History and Curatorial Studies collective. I currently serve as the Historian for the Honors Program Student Association. I am passionate about amplifying the stories of those who can’t tell them for themselves. When I graduate, I would love to become an art dealer. A fun fact about me is that I am an Aquarius !
Amia Loveless
Publicity Chair
Hi, I’m Amia. I am a second year psychology chemistry double major from Teaneck, New Jersey. I currently serve at the publicity chair for the program.
Mackenzie Hickson
First-Year Liaison
Hi! My name is Mackenzie Hickson and I’m a first year health sciences major and comparative women’s studies minor from Austin Texas. I serve as the First Year Liaison this year and a fun fact about me is that I am very passionate about women’s rights and activism! In the future I plan to pursue a career in healthcare and am more specifically interested in Neuroscience.
Jada Farley-Cook
Co-Social Chair
Hi everyone! My name is Jada Farley-Cook and I’m a junior Economics major, Management & Organization minor from Hoover, AL. I am one of the Co-Social Chairs for the Honors Program, and I am passionate about students finding a sense of community through events!
Sasha Williams
Co-Social Chair
Carson Pauling
Co-Community Service Chair
Hey y’all! My name is Carson Pauling. I am a junior Biology major on the pre-medical track from Charlotte, North Carolina. I serve as the Community Service Co-Chair!
Nikira Walter
Co-Community Service Chair
Hey everyone! My name is Nikira Walter. I am a third year math major, management and organization minor, from McKinney, TX and I serve as one of the Community Service Chairs on the E-Board. After I graduate, I would like to become an actuary and attend grad school to eventually obtain my PhD and ultimately become a college professor. My other interests include, dancing, listening to music (R&B!), and binging Netflix shows!