From Spelman to Beijing: HBCU Excellence Shapes Global Leadership

ATLANTA, GA – January 15, 2026 – Spelman College announced today that one of its own, economics major Ava Noelle Johnson, has been named a 2026-2027 Schwarzman Scholar, cementing her place in one of the world's most prestigious and selective graduate fellowship programs. Johnson, a member of the class of 2026, was chosen from a record-breaking applicant pool of over 5,800 global candidates to become one of just 150 scholars in the program’s 11th cohort.

Her selection marks a significant milestone, making her the sixth student from Spelman College to receive this honor since 2021 and highlighting a powerful trend of academic excellence and global readiness at the nation's leading historically Black college for women. The fully-funded fellowship will take the Nashville native to Beijing, China, for a one-year master’s degree in global affairs at Schwarzman College, located at the esteemed Tsinghua University.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as a Schwarzman Scholar for the 11th cohort,” Johnson stated in the official announcement. “My matriculation at Spelman College not only prepared me academically, but instilled in me the confidence, global consciousness, and leadership values that have made this opportunity possible. I am profoundly grateful to the professors, mentors, and the Spelman honors program for their unwavering support.”

A Legacy of Leadership Development

Johnson’s achievement is a testament to both her individual merit and the institutional ecosystem designed to foster such success. Spelman College, founded in 1881, has long been recognized as a global leader in the education of women of African descent. Its consistent production of top-tier scholars is no accident, but the result of a deliberate educational model focused on academic rigor, mentorship, and a commitment to social change.

“Ava’s selection as a Schwarzman Scholar is a proud moment for Spelman,” said Dr. Michelle Hite, the college’s international fellowships and scholarships director. “To achieve at this level and at this moment in history speaks to both the rigor of her training and her confidence in meeting the world as it is. Her success reminds us of what remains possible, and necessary, right now.”

This confidence is cultivated on a campus that is consistently ranked at the top of its class. For 17 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Spelman the No. 1 Historically Black College or University (HBCU). It also ranks among the top liberal arts colleges nationwide, earning special recognition for undergraduate teaching and social mobility. The college is the nation's leading producer of Black women who go on to earn Ph.D.s in STEM fields, a statistic that underscores the depth of its academic preparation. Through initiatives like its honors program, which Johnson credited directly, the college provides a supportive framework that empowers students to compete on the world's most competitive stages.

The Schwarzman Scholarship: A New Frontier in Global Affairs

The Schwarzman Scholars program is more than just a graduate degree; it is an immersive experience designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for the complexities of the 21st-century geopolitical landscape. Established in 2013 by philanthropist Stephen A. Schwarzman, the scholarship was created to build a global network of leaders with a nuanced understanding of China's evolving role in the world.

Starting in August 2026, Johnson and her cohort—representing 40 countries and 83 universities—will delve into a curriculum built on three pillars: leadership, global affairs, and China. Taught by world-class faculty from Tsinghua and other leading global institutions, the program combines rigorous coursework with cultural immersion, professional development, and lectures from prominent global figures. This unique model aims to equip scholars with the tools to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, particularly between China and the West.

"We are thrilled to welcome the 11th cohort to Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University," said Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College. "Their remarkable accomplishments herald a promising group of future leaders. I am eager to see them advance our commitment to global collaboration and transformative knowledge, as they work together to tackle this century's greatest challenges and enrich our entire community."

HBCUs on the World Stage

Johnson’s success is a powerful data point in a larger narrative about the rising influence of HBCUs in international affairs. Spelman's ability to consistently place students in elite programs like the Schwarzman Scholarship demonstrates that these institutions are critical pipelines for diversifying global leadership. This trend challenges outdated perceptions and affirms the academic prowess housed within HBCUs.

Historically, HBCUs have long been centers of international engagement, educating future world leaders like Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. Today, that legacy continues as they actively prepare students to become diplomats, policymakers, and global business leaders. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, now actively recruit from HBCUs, recognizing their unique ability to cultivate leaders with the cultural sensitivity and social justice-oriented perspective necessary for effective modern diplomacy.

By fostering an environment that champions global consciousness, Spelman and other HBCUs are ensuring that the individuals shaping future international policy reflect a broader range of American experiences and perspectives. Johnson's journey from Atlanta to Beijing is emblematic of this shift, representing a new generation of Black women leaders ready to engage with the world's most pressing issues.

Forging the Future of Diplomacy

The selection of an economics major from an HBCU to study global affairs in China carries profound significance. As global challenges become increasingly interconnected—spanning trade, climate change, public health, and technology—the need for diverse perspectives in leadership has never been more critical. Johnson will bring a viewpoint shaped by Spelman's mission to inspire a commitment to positive social change, adding a crucial dimension to the high-level dialogues she will participate in.

Upon completing the program, she will join a dynamic alumni network of over 1,500 leaders already making an impact in policy, finance, technology, and nonprofit sectors across the globe. This network provides a platform for lifelong collaboration and influence, amplifying the impact of each individual scholar. Ava Noelle Johnson's journey is not just a personal victory but a clear signal of a changing landscape, where excellence from institutions like Spelman College is rightfully recognized as essential to building a more collaborative and equitable global future.