Spelman College has received a significant boost in its mission to empower women of color in leadership roles within the international strategic affairs and intelligence community. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence awarded the college a $2.5 million grant to establish the Spelman Strategic and Security Studies Center.

This five-year grant is part of ODNI’s Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence program. It aims to enhance the United States’ strategic priorities through educational initiatives. The funding will support a range of opportunities, including study abroad programs, critical language studies, and scholarships for a proposed new minor in international strategic studies.

The new Center will be developed through collaborative efforts with various departments at Spelman College. Included are the Gordon-Zeto Center for Global Education led by Vice Provost for Global Education Dr. ‘Dimeji Togunde, the Department of Political Science chaired by Dr. Kasahun Woldemariam, and the Department of World Languages and Cultures chaired by Dr. Jacqueline Alvarez-Rosales.

“This grant enables Spelman to prepare a cohort of students to take their rightful places in conversations that will shape, define, and critique international strategic affairs and national security issues and help build a better world,” stated Dr. Tinaz Pavri, chair of Spelman’s Division of Social Sciences and Education and principal investigator for the grant. She emphasized that the initiative will empower students to leverage their unique talents, values, and lived experiences in national and international debates.

The ODNI oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community and directs the implementation of the National Intelligence Program, emphasizing academic excellence and innovative practices. The Spelman Strategic and Security Studies Center aims to:

Mission of the Spelman Strategic and Security Studies Center

Enhance Educational Programs

The Center will develop a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications in international affairs, intelligence, and security.

Expand Linguistic and Cultural Competencies

The center will provide essential language training and cultural education to equip students with vital skills necessary for effective participation in global operations.

Cultivate a Diverse Pipeline of Professionals

The initiative seeks to produce highly qualified graduates whose diverse backgrounds and perspectives will strengthen the U.S. intelligence community and prepare them for pivotal roles in international affairs.

The Spelman Strategic and Security Studies Center will be affiliated with Spelman’s Center of Excellence for Black Women in STEM.