Spelman College will become the first HBCU to offer cosmetic chemistry classes to STEM students

Spelman College is expanding its STEM program offerings to include a cosmetic chemistry major for chemistry majors and a cosmetic science minor for students studying other subjects.

According to press release by the college, this initiative is the first program of its kind at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and is anticipated to be offered starting in the fall 2024 semester.

The goal of the program is to “promote careers in the cosmetics industry, expand the technical knowledge of students wishing to work in the industry or pursue advanced studies in cosmetics, and provide a gender and race perspective in product formulation and development,” the release said. he said.

The university highlights the need for greater representation in the beauty industry, noting that Black women spent greater than $7.4 billion on cosmetics and private care products in 2022, while Black beauty brands make up just 2.5% of the market. By ensuring that beauty products are formulated with people of color in mind, an Atlanta HBCU hopes to change this trajectory.

“The program will be far-reaching and will support our students and faculty in making a difference in a field that serves Black women as consumers, based on the science in the field,” said Spelman Chancellor Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson. “We are excited to continue our evolution to create new academic offerings that meet industry demands.”

The cosmetic chemistry curriculum focuses on molecular science because it relates to product formulation and development. Undergraduate students’ interest in beauty science has led to the expansion of the program to include focused and part-time classes. Since the launch of the online certification program in January 2023, now in its fourth 12 months, the variety of applications has increased from 150 to 750.

“I am pleased that we now offer a degree program that combines Spelman students’ experience with the beauty and personal care industry. The new concentration of majors and majors will make our students competitive for advanced study and careers in this field,” said Dr. Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and chair of the department of life sciences and arithmetic.

“I am equally excited that through this endeavor we can offer a culturally relevant perspective needed in conversations about black hair and skin care and cosmetic development,” Dr. Winfield stated in the school’s press release.

In addition to its academic offerings, Spelman College will also offer week-long, intensive summer beauty science classes from June 2-8. Seminars and panels will concentrate on essential beauty formulations and convey together Black women product developers, formulators and researchers.