NAASC Columbus Chapter

Welcome Dr. Howard

Spelman College’s board of trustees has tapped Ayanna Howard, a dean of engineering at The Ohio State University, to serve as the school’s 12th president.

Howard attended Brown University as an undergraduate, then earned master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering from the University of Southern California. She also has an MBA from Claremont Graduate University.

An engineer by trade, Howard has worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and held several different positions at Georgia Tech. While there, she founded a trainee program in healthcare robotics and recruited college students outside of Georgia Tech to participate.

Howard became the first outside funder of the SpelBots, Spelman’s award-winning robotics team. She also launched Zyrobotics, a company that develops assistive technology for people with disabilities.

In an interview with the AJC, Ayanna Howard shares more on her background and plans for Spelman in her new role. Read more: https://bit.ly/4vvp83F

🖋️ : Martha Dalton / AJC
📸 : Natrice Miller for the AJC

It’s Decision Day!!
We can’t wait to Meet and Welcome our class of 2030 students from the tri-city area.

The Columbus, Georgia Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College proudly celebrated Spelman College’s 145th anniversary with a beautiful Founders Day church service and fellowship at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church.

We were honored to worship alongside the congregation under the leadership of Rev. Valerie Thompson, whose powerful message from Micah 7:8 reminded us… she will rise!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Pastor Thompson and the Revelation Missionary Baptist Church family for such a warm and gracious welcome. Your hospitality made this celebration even more meaningful. 💙🩵💙🩵

Following church service, we enjoyed our annual alumnae brunch. Thankful to celebrate another Founders Day anniversary with our sisters.

A few of our chapter members attended the recent National Alumnae Association of Spelman College Southeast Regional Conference, held at the beautiful Trilith Guesthouse, and it was truly sensational! 💙

This year’s conference theme, “Unbought and Unbossed,” set a powerful tone for the entire weekend. 💙

Representing our chapter were:
• Sherrie Gilbert, President
• Judy Bryson, Treasurer
• Mattie Hall, Parliamentarian

From engaging sisterhood moments, an informative session led by the Spelman College Office of Alumnae Affairs, and enriching personal development experiences facilitated by Spelman alumnae, the weekend was both grounding and inspiring.

Thank you to our regional coordinator, Renee Wilson, as well as the committee for organizing such a phenomenal weekend 💙

We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with sisters across the region, grow in leadership, and return home renewed in purpose and community 💙

Education opens doors, and we love to guide others to them.

The NAASC Columbus, GA Chapter was proudly represented by our sister, Sonja Parker, at The Links, Incorporated Columbus, Georgia Chapter’s City-Wide College Fair.

Events like these are so important in encouraging students to explore their college options and envision what’s possible for their future.

📸 Take a look at a few highlights from the day!

⏰ Friendly Reminder!

The 2026 NAASC elections are happening now! This is a great opportunity to support the future of our alumnae community and help shape the initiatives that keep us connected.

If you haven’t voted yet, please take a moment to cast your vote and make your voice heard. Every vote helps strengthen our sisterhood and the work of the Association. Elections run through Saturday, March 21st.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support and uplift our amazing alumnae community! 💙

🗳

Congratulations to one of our very own local scholars, Autumn Gary, on her election to the Spelman College Student Government Association as Secretary of Institutional Advancement!

We are so proud of you, Autumn! 💙

Today kicks off Read Across America Week 2026!

The Columbus, Ga Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College is excited to partner with Downtown Elementary School, under the leadership of Principal Dr. Tujuana Wiggins, to spend the week reading to some amazing young scholars in our community.

We are especially proud that Dr. Wiggins is also a Spelman Alumna! 💙

Many thanks to Sister Judy Tucker for arranging this.

The Columbus, Ga Chapter of the NAASC is glad to be represented at our upcoming “Sensational” Southeast Regional Conference 💙💙

Click the link below to learn more and to get registered. Early bird registration ends on 2/14 at 11:50 pm ET.

https://www.naascsoutheast.org