Shayna Johnson is Salutatorian of the Spelman College Class of 2011

Fort Lauderdale native accepts position with Teach for America in South Carolina

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Shayna Johnson, Salutatorian, Spelman College Class of 2011

ATLANTA, GA (05/19/2011)(readMedia)-- Shayna Johnson, an economics major with a 3.90 GPA, is the salutatorian for the Spelman College class of 2011. Johnson was among the 550 students who received their diplomas on May 15 during Spelman's 124th commencement, which featured first lady Michelle Obama delivering the address.

A graduate of South Plantation High School in Plantation, Fla., Johnson has been honored with Phi Beta Kappa's Outstanding Sophomore award and named a President's List and Dean's List scholar. She will continue her pursuit of excellence in the classroom as a secondary mathematics teacher for Teach for America in South Carolina.

"I've always been interested in teaching, and I'm looking forward to passing on my love of learning," said Johnson, a Fort Lauderdale native.

When her two-year Teach for America assignment ends, Johnson wants to earn an MBA, then a doctorate in economics, and, ultimately, work in developing and implementing government policy.

About Spelman College

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts an 83 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman. For more information, visit: www.spelman.edu.