Upon entering the gates of Spelman College, expect to gain more than a world-class education. Prepare to be engaged and energized throughout your campus experience. The Office of Student Life and Engagement provides a variety of extracurricular activities that serve to enhance the Spelman College academic experience. Home to more than 85 clubs and organizations representing everything from professional, cultural and spiritual development, to recreation, sports clubs and volunteer services, Spelman students receive a plethora of opportunities to meet new people and develop their interests or talents. As an engaged Spelman student, you can gain leadership skills, explore career options, serve others, celebrate your ethnic heritage, and learn about the heritage of others.
The mission of the Office of Student Life and Engagement is to enhance the College academic experience through co-curricular engagement opportunities that contribute to students’ educational mission, leadership potential, personal growth, and global understanding. The programmatic areas include the Student Government Association, Programming Board, Greek Life, Student Media, Miss Spelman and Court, Student Affairs Global Experience or SAGE, and Student Organization Administration. We support the College’s mission through the provision of co-curricular programs, leadership development opportunities, and by providing exposure to various domestic and international cultural diversity experiences for Spelman students.
Preparing students to be leaders and global citizens, the Office of Student Life and Engagement offers extensive leadership training and professional development through its Leadership Institute Training, which develops programs and resources to enhance students’ leadership capabilities. Through the Student Affairs Global Experience, or SAGE program, students travel globally each December to explore different countries that have included Rome, Paris, Egypt, Africa and Argentina. Diversity Thursdays, on the other hand, allows students to experience firsthand cultures from around the world. Cultural Cafes, for instance, give students the opportunity to sample foods from around the world, hear authentic music, and learn historical facts.
Spelman women also get involved in student government. In addition to the Spelman Student Government Association and class councils, there are also opportunities to pursue Greek life on campus through various sororities. And for students interested in representing the College, Miss Spelman carries the distinguished title as an ambassador to the College. Students involved in P.U.L.S.E., the student-run events planning board, help enhance the social setting of Spelman College and the Atlanta University Center though events such as Homecoming, Welcome Back Jam, Exam Jam, Winter Wonderland and more.
Looking to unwind from a long week of classes on a Friday? Market Friday provides the perfect atmosphere for students to socialize and gather with fellow classmates and peers from the AUC. Working in partnership with the Office of Alumnae Affairs, the Office of Student Life facilitates meetings with Spelman alumnae for various programming, networking opportunities, and alumnae connections. Alumnae often come back to invest in students during Homecoming, Miss Spelman pageant, and New Student Orientation.
Service is also a major component of the Office of Student Life and Engagement. Through SSGA, students organize annual Thanksgiving basket drives for needy families, while others conduct etiquette sessions and tutoring and mentoring opportunities for grade school children. The office also sponsors My Sisters Closet in collaboration with Alumnae Affairs, which provides gently used career clothing, shoes and purses for students preparing for interviews.