Aliyah Webster, c/o 24

Aliyah Webster, a senior biochemistry major from Virginia Beach, VA, recently participated in various graduate school preview programs, including one at Rockefeller University in New York City and one at UPenn in Philadelphia, which opened her eyes to how important these programs are to understand the future steps needed for her goals. With plans to earn her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences after Spelman, learning about graduate preview programs for Webster meant trying to find the school and program that truly fits her desires and aspirations. Webster also explores overcoming insecurity from comparing ourselves to others, building the confidence to seek out these opportunities, and the importance of building relationships with professors in this article, Visualizing Your Future. Click here to read the full article.

Chandler Nutall, c/o 23

As students begin visualizing their future, it is also essential to realize that our paths are not limited or restricted to a single step-by-step guide they must follow to reach their career or academic goals. We can take a liberated path to explore multiple interests, careers, and goals. Today, HPSA explores this topic with Chandler Nutall, ℅ 2023. In this interview, Chandler expounds on finding your path by finding the courage and freedom to think creatively about the path she would like to take, how her interaction within the Spelman community led to earning notable achievements, and pushing through comfort and acting with intentionality to learn and grow. Click here to read the full article.

Blair Martin, c/o 26

Throughout matriculation at Spelman, the focus on academics can cloud your view on all the aspects that make the full Spelman experience. To embrace and understand the value of both the academic and social opportunities, one most be able to find balance and make sure to capture and embrace the moment. We explore this with Blair Martin, a sophomore English major and Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor from Wisconsin, as she discuss her experience with finding her balance and bonding within the Honors program and how she transformed her passions into career goals during her experience. Click here to read the full article.

Eniola Mafe-Abaga, c/o 07

Meet Mrs. Eniola Mafe-Abaga, class of 2007, in this issue of Githii. While at Spelman, Mafe-Abaga led and represented her peers through various student organizations while maintaining high academic goals. She was ultimately invited into Phi Beta Kappa and the Golden Key Honors Society. Since her time at Spelman, she has created and enhanced access for people in rural areas who lack vital infrastructure for education, healthcare, and more. Learn more about her experience, struggles, and growth by reading this issue of Githii.

First-Year Honors Retreat 2023

On September 9th, the class of 2027 traveled to the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA where they heard about the history and story of Franklin D. Roosevelt. While the visible story focused on President Roosevelt struggles with polio. Our scholars were encouraged to consider how mainstream narratives might overlook diverse perspectives, especially those of Black individuals and attempt to connect it to our summer readings, specifically to The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of Friendship by Patricia Bell-Scott.

Under the instruction of Dr. Michelle Hite, Spelman College students examine the way that the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till became a pivotal moment in American political, media, and civil rights history. Through their investigation, they explore the way that citizens have found purpose in Emmett Till’s short life and learned to center joy and love even in the face of pain and struggle. Click the here to listen to it.

Check out this amazing interview with our very own Dr. Hite as she discusses the purpose and future of the partnership on Spelman’s campus: Spelman and Spotify partner to train underrepresented voices in the art of podcasting

Spelman students interacting with podcasters during Spotify’s Creator Day held last semester on campus. (Courtesy of Spelman College)

The program was designed to expand podcast interest and culture on Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campuses across the United States. Spelman had the first class in the NextGen Program with Dr. Hite’s Emmett Till class and the program hopes to add additional support on campus to further students creative ability and uplift minority voices that have been severely depreciated within the audio industry. The program intends to bring:

Dedicated on-campus podcast recording space with professional equipment
Events featuring Spotify executives and podcast talent
Spotify support of existing, relevant curriculum and access to tailored training programs
Co-creation of student-led original audio content
Potential Academic scholarship support
Consideration to participate in a 10-week Spotify internship program

Find out more information about the Spotty NextGen partnership with Spelman College here or contact Dr. Hite if you are interested in learning about the program.