Profile: Private, independent, liberal arts, historically Black college for women, founded in 1881.

Program: Spelman RISE Program is a Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement.

Atlanta University Center: Spelman is part of the largest consortium of historically Black institutions of higher learning in the world. Its four partner institutions include Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Spelman shares cross-registration with its undergraduate partners. They also share the Robert W. Woodruff Library.

Campus: A historic campus of 32 acres, dating back to 1883, five minutes west of downtown Atlanta. There are 25 buildings, including Sisters Chapel, Giles Hall, Packard Hall, Rockefeller Hall and Reynolds Cottage. The Camille O. Hanks Cosby Academic Center was dedicated in 1996, and a new state-of-the-art Science Center houses classrooms and labs.

Student Body: More than 2,100 students from 41 states and 15 foreign countries.

Ranking: Spelman College ranks among the top 75 Best Liberal Arts Colleges according to U.S. News & World Report, 2005 edition.