Spelman College President Helene Gayle Announces Personal Leave of Absence

Courtesy of Spelman College

Spelman College has announced that President Helene Gayle is taking a personal leave of absence effective immediately. The college did not specify Dr. Gayle’s reason for taking leave, nor her expected return date.

An announcement from the college stated that “we can assure you that Spelman will continue to operate seamlessly, moving forward in the spirit of our core values of care, commitment, integrity, reliability and trust.”

The board of trustees at Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, appointed Dr. Gayle as the institution’s eleventh president in 2022. Prior to her current role, she served five years as president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. Previously, she was president and CEO of CARE, a leading international humanitarian organization.

Originally trained as a public health physician, Dr. Gayle has conducted extensive clinical work and research regarding HIV/AIDs, including two decades of service with the Centers for Disease Control. She has also held several adjunct and clinical professorships throughout her career.

Dr. Gayle received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Barnard College in New York City, her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and her master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

During Dr. Gayle’s leave of absence, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, Spelman alumna and former chair of the board of trustees, will serve as the college’s interim president.

Brewer has an extensive background in corporate leadership, previously serving as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., group president and COO of Starbucks, and CEO of Sam’s Club. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Spelman and has completed executive management programs at the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania.