Spelman College announces permanent departure of President Dr. Helene Gayle

AP | Spelman College has officially announced that Dr. Helene Gayle will not be returning from her leave of absence and will step down permanently from her role as president. This decision was communicated by the historically Black women’s college on Thursday.

With an enrollment of over 3,000 students, Spelman College has not disclosed the reasons for Gayle’s initial leave or her permanent departure.

In a statement, the Board of Trustees indicated that they are in the process of developing a plan to select the college’s next president. In the interim, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer will continue to serve as the acting president.

“I join the trustees in expressing my gratitude to Dr. Gayle for her contributions to this esteemed institution,” Brewer stated in a video announcement. “I am also eager to continue my service as your interim president.”

Brewer, who previously served as the chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, is also a part-owner of the Atlanta Falcons football team.

In a statement released by the college, Dr. Gayle expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to lead Spelman College: “I thank the larger Spelman community for this magnificent opportunity to serve as president. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the outstanding students and future world leaders who have chosen to attend Spelman College. I look forward to my next chapter.”

Gayle assumed the presidency of Spelman College in 2022, following the retirement of former president Mary Schmidt Campbell. The college is a member of the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of four historically Black colleges and universities.

Prior to her tenure at Spelman, Dr. Gayle served as president of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the United States. She is also a distinguished epidemiologist with decades of experience in combating AIDS and HIV, and she has led an international anti-poverty organization.

Rosalind Brewer has an extensive background in leadership, having spent 12 years as chair of the Board of Trustees at Spelman, during which she collaborated with three college presidents and spearheaded the two most successful fundraising campaigns in the institution’s history. Her previous roles include serving as president and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, chief operating officer of Starbucks, and CEO of Sam’s Club.