Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president of Spelman College, has taken an immediate personal leave of absence, with the reasons remaining undisclosed. In her absence, Rosalind 'Roz' Brewer, former chair of the Board of Trustees and a Spelman alumna, has been appointed as interim president. Spelman College assured its community that operations would continue seamlessly, emphasizing their core values of care, commitment, integrity, reliability, and trust. Gayle, who became Spelman's president in July 2022, is the first medical doctor to lead the institution, which has been ranked the top HBCU in the nation for 18 consecutive years. Brewer has an extensive background in leadership roles at major corporations and has been involved with Spelman’s governance for over 17 years. The Board of Trustees is committed to maintaining institutional operations while respecting Gayle's privacy during this time.