Spelman College announced a series of significant grant awards that underscore its commitment to academic excellence and the support of diverse student populations. The college has recently secured funding from various organizations to enrich educational programs, preserve history, and foster future generations of scholars.
Coca-Cola Foundation
One of the most notable grants comes from the Coca-Cola Foundation, which has awarded Spelman $1,220,000 for the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program. This initiative, running from Fall 2024 to Spring 2028, will provide ten first-year students, who are the first in their families to attend a four-year institution, with $25,000 scholarships each year. Additionally, the program includes cohort activities facilitated by Dean of Students Dr. Sylvia Griffin. Activities are designed to navigate the unique challenges faced by first-generation college attendees.
Council on Library and Information Resources
In another exciting development, the Council on Library and Information Resources has awarded Spelman over $49,000 for the project “Lasting Legacies: Preserving and Providing Access to the Rich Audiovisual History of Spelman College.” Spearheaded by archivist Holly Smith, this initiative will focus on digitizing valuable audiovisual materials dating from the 1950s to the 2000s.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Boeing have also partnered to provide Spelman with a second grant of $50,000 designated for the summer Math RaMP program. Under the leadership of Dr. Naiomi Cameron, this initiative aims to prepare talented students of color for careers and graduate studies in mathematical sciences.
Georgia Power Foundation
Moreover, the Georgia Power Foundation has continued supporting the Virtual Data Science Summer Internship Program, originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by Dr. Tiffany Oliver, this experiential learning opportunity equips students from diverse disciplines with essential data-science principles while providing them with stipends, enabling deeper engagement and practical experience.
Trott Family Philanthropies
Additionally, the Trott Family Philanthropies has granted Spelman $400,000 to enhance outreach and recruitment efforts in rural communities as part of its involvement in the STARS College Network. Directed by Chelsea Holley, this initiative aims to ensure that students from rural and small-town America gain access to higher education.
NASA
In further advancements, Dr. Marta Dark McNeese has secured a $50,000 award from NASA for the Minority University Research & Education Project. Her research focuses on developing an interferometric optical sensor for biomedical applications.
National Security Agency
Lastly, the National Security Agency has granted $210,901 for the STARTALK Student Program, which provides free Chinese language and cultural education to middle and high school students. Led by Dr. Zhengbin Lu, the program kicked off its inaugural summer session, during which participants engaged in a variety of cultural activities and showcased their learning through traditional performances.
