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From its founding as the first women's college in the United States to offer students the opportunity to earn a Ph.D., ������̳ has been a place where innovation flourishes.

Over the next twelve months, ������̳ will celebrate milestone anniversaries of a number of innovative programs that have had an outsized impact on ������̳ and on the larger world of higher education and research.

Below is just a sampling of the history of innovation at ������̳ and the more recent innovations propelling the College's future.

The Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education Program

"We should not lose sight of their incredible vision that began at a very different time, in a higher education environment that was not talking about equity and inclusion,"—������̳ Former President Kim Cassidy.

(Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education) Program celebrates its 25^th anniversary during 2022-2023. EDGE was founded by Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Rhonda Hughes and Sylvia Bozeman, Professor Emeritus at Spelman College, to increase gender and racial equity in the mathematics community with summer and mentoring programs to support the retention and success of women in graduate study and in their subsequent careers.  As of this summer, 125 EDGE summer program participants have completed the Ph.D.—with many more to come.

Professor Hughes and Professor Bozeman recognized structural and cultural barriers that affected persistence and success in mathematics for so many, and took action to create structural change and networks of support. The success of this program and its contribution to excellence in the field has truly been remarkable in its impact.