Search Process
In September 2014, the Board of Trustees charged the Presidential Search Committee, led by Dr. Celeste Watkins-Hayes, C'96, to identify and recommend a finalist for the 10th president of Spelman College. To develop and support an issues-driven, well-executed, inclusive and appropriately transparent search, the Committee selected the firm Isaacson Miller and also engaged the support of a search administrator.
In the fall, the committee gathered information about our community’s aspirations and expectations for the future through a series of listening sessions with campus, alumnae and external partners via online surveys, and through focused committee conversation. The feedback gathered resulted in a Leadership Profile that reflects our collective assessment of the opportunities for the next president of Spelman College. It is this leadership profile and the issues identified by our stakeholders within, that drove this process which resulted in a strong, diverse and inclusive pool of approximately 300 prospects encompassing alumnae and individuals from traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, as well as a wide variety of disciplines and institutions.
Through a rigorous assessment process, the PSC narrowed the pool and ultimately recommended Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. as a finalist to visit the campus. Following a successful campus visit and upon reviewing the feedback gathered from a community-wide online survey, the PSC made its recommendation to the board of trustees for final approval.
Review the full process in the Presidential Search pages.
Read the Town Hall Address given by Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell during her visit to the campus.
Announcement
In March 2015, the Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell the College's 10th President, effective August 1, 2015.