Atlanta: Spelman College taps Helene Gayle as next president

Gayle will take over because the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter motion has propelled a spike in personal giving to Spelman and different traditionally Black faculties and universities, particularly these within the high tier.

Gayle, 66, is presently president of the Chicago Neighborhood Belief, a neighborhood basis. She mentioned that when she was approached about main Spelman, she was interested in it as “a spot the place younger girls can actually faucet into who they’re, actually develop a way of confidence as girls.”

The two,400-student college is likely one of the nation’s high traditionally Black establishments, a part of the Atlanta College Middle, a consortium of 4 traditionally Black faculties. Gayle mentioned she needs to construct on Spelman’s energy in sending college students into careers in medication, science, expertise, engineering and math.

Trustee Kaye Foster mentioned Spelman leaders favored Gayle’s potential to boost cash in her Chicago place, saying the belief’s belongings have risen from $2.8 billion to $4.7 billion underneath her management. The muse has targeted on lowering the racial and ethnic wealth hole within the metropolis. Foster additionally cites Gayle’s potential to set and execute on priorities, her expertise in working in giant establishments and a profession as a “humanitarian and a servant chief.”

“Despite the fact that she’s not a Spelman alum, in some ways, she has lived our Spelman motto,” Foster mentioned. “She has made decisions to alter the world at each flip.”

Gayle lived for many years in Atlanta whereas working for the federal Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. After a stint with the Invoice & Melinda Gates Basis overseeing coverage for HIV, tuberculosis and reproductive well being, she returned to Atlanta as President and CEO of CARE USA, a key a part of a world humanitarian group that fights poverty by specializing in girls and women. She’s additionally a member of the board of the Coca-Cola Co., an Atlanta company icon.

Educated as a pediatrician, Gayle has obtained 18 honorary levels, together with from Emory College and the Morehouse Faculty of Medication in Atlanta and Agnes Scott School in Decatur.

Spelman and different HBCUs have been targeted on lowering prices and loans obtained by college students. In the present day, greater than three-quarters of Spelman college students get need-based support, however 92% find yourself with loans, borrowing greater than $27,000 on common, in accordance with information printed by the school.

Gayle mentioned she plans to pitch donors on the concept HBCUs are efficient in serving to poorer college students rise out of poverty, lowering earnings inequality.

“Any girl who has the educational background and has the will to have an schooling at Spelman ought to have the ability to do this, and ought to have the ability to do this with out having to amass the type of debt that’s oftentimes crippling for any person who’s beginning out of their profession,” Gayle mentioned.

She additionally mentioned she intends to deal with a key student-life concern, an absence of on-campus housing at Spelman. Lower than 60% of scholars dwell on campus at this time.

“I believe there’s inventive methods during which we are able to take into consideration this situation,” Gayle mentioned. “It was made a precedence and it will likely be a precedence for me.”

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Comply with Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.