Roz Brewer’s Vision for Spelman College: Merging Corporate Strategies with Higher Education
Roz Brewer, the former CEO of Walgreens and current interim president of Spelman College, is pursuing an ambitious initiative to address the underinvestment in higher education through strategic corporate methodologies. At the recent Milken Institute Global Conference, Brewer reflected on the common scenario in academia where transformative investments are sorely lacking.
To tackle this issue, Brewer is applying her extensive C-suite experience to overhaul Spelman College’s operational framework. “We created a technology roadmap,” she stated, highlighting her commitment to accelerate change in an educational sector often resistant to rapid development.
Brewed from her past experience as a board chair, Brewer took the reins of the historically Black women’s institution in 2024. This vantage point allowed her to anticipate shifting political and economic climates, which proved crucial as Spelman encountered new challenges during the Trump administration.
A significant concern has been the erosion of federal funding, particularly impacting research institutes. In 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency cut financial support for a program aimed at equipping Black women for careers in biomedical research. This decision reflects a broader trend of tightening educational and research budgets, prompting college leaders to seek operational efficiencies.
Brewer’s comprehensive approach towards Spelman encompasses both educational and administrative dimensions. “We are looking holistically at what needs to happen to run the college efficiently,” she remarked, aiming to streamline processes across the board.
The surge of generative AI presents new tests for efficiency, yet Brewer is cautious about the term “AI-proofing.” “I want to be careful about AI proofing because it implies resistance,” she shared, suggesting a need to embrace these innovations rather than ward them off. Spelman is now implementing specific requirements in math and statistics within its general education curriculum, with a focus on fostering creativity and innovation among students rather than merely teaching them basic AI functionalities.
Despite this technological push, Brewer strongly advocates for maintaining the traditional rigours of academia. She defends the importance of classic educational practices, such as engaging in thorough research and writing thesis papers, emphasizing that foundational skills like basic math and diverse global experiences—spanning architecture to history—are essential and non-negotiable in education.
As Brewer navigates these changes, her vision for Spelman College as an institution where technological innovation and traditional academic discipline coexist is both bold and necessary in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
In summary, Brewer is committed to bridging the investment gap in higher education through proven corporate strategies, ensuring that Spelman College adapts effectively to contemporary challenges while upholding its core academic values.
