Graphic by Jaylon Simmons

By Erinn Gardner, Secretary and Freddrell Green, A&E/Opinions Editor

With the election cycle at an end, and the uncertainty of the incoming presidential administration’s impact on HBCUs, the stability of Morehouse and Spelman College is critical. With Morehouse searching for a new president and Spelman adjusting to Dr. Helene Gayle’s abrupt leave, the status of leadership on both campuses is called into question.

Morehouse sophomore political science major Dylan Legend feels that his institution is entering an era where governmental support will no longer exist. With the future of Thomas’ fundraising campaign up in the air after he resigns, Legend urges his fellow Morehouse brothers to be more proactive in their search for opportunities to succeed both on and off campus.

“The incentive to hire Black men that once was won’t be as prevalent anymore,” Legend said. “I think it’s important that we take a much more active and insistent role, insisting that we are the ones for this position.”

Sophomore industrial engineering major Korey Moore shares this same sentiment, but feels even more removed from the oversight of the college’s administration. He believes that the solidarity of all institutions within the AUC lies within the student body and that Morehouse  is unwavering in the midst of administrative transition.

“As long as the student body remains the same, and as long as the Morehouse mystique remains firmly embedded in our minds, I do believe that everything will be alright,” Moore said. “The Morehouse culture is enduring, and it’s endured the civil rights movement. It stood the test of history.”

The Spelman community has faced similar uncertainties, as Dr. Gayle’s resignation and the lack of transparency surrounding the situation left students questioning the college’s direction. The immediate leadership shift prompted increased feelings of uncertainty and decreased feelings of security. 

However,  sophomore Economics major Kennedy Johnson shares that she, along with a handful of other students feel hopeful in regards to the campus’ leadership, as business woman Rosalind Brewer has taken on the role of president quickly, efficiently and effectively. 

“Thus far I think she’s implemented herself into campus life really well, and she’s shown up for us so much already, so I’m pretty optimistic about her leading us in Dr. Gayle’s absence,” Johnson said. 

Because students have received minimal information pertaining to why Gayle will not return to Spelman, chatter about Brewer permanently fulfilling the role of president has loosely arisen. While Brewer has served as Spelman’s board chair for almost a decade, is an alumna and is currently a high-profile businesswoman, she lacks experience in academia . 

“I do like that she’s an alumna, but she doesn’t have a super scholarly background, as she is more on the business side,” sophomore Lyrics Pruett said. “I like her a lot. I think she is a really personable leader, but I don’t know how qualified she is  on the education side of things.”

Although  the leadership challenges facing Spelhouse ignite unease among the student body, they also inspire conversations about the future of the institutions and the role of student voices in shaping it. 

“It’s impossible not to see us,” sophomore political science major Christopher Lambry said. “It becomes hard to create boundaries for that, because we’re continuing to go into these spaces where a majority of the people do not look like us and find ways to navigate to top positions in leadership roles.”

Copy Edited by Editor-in-Chief, Colin Royal