What are AACTE Holmes Scholars saying about their program?
Founded in 1991 for doctoral students, the AACTE Holmes Program provides mentorship, peer support, and professional development opportunities. The Holmes Program supports students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing graduate degrees in education at AACTE member institutions. Approximately 40 institutions currently participate in the Holmes Program.
Participating scholars are part of a national community working to develop and support historically underrepresented (global majority) students in the education field. At each level, students enjoy tailored opportunities and support from peer networks, program administrators, and alumni mentors. The program helps participants explore a variety of future career options related to education.
We reached out to several scholars to hear their perspectives on participating in the program:
“Joining the Holmes Scholars Program at the University of Central Florida has been a contributing factor in my personal and professional growth and development. Through my participation in the program and the National Association for Holmes Scholars Alumni (NAHSA), I have gained a support network of scholars and colleagues from across the country, mentorship and sponsorship from leading scholars, and professional opportunities in leadership and research. From my Ph.D. program to dean of the College of Education and currently the senior vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the AACTE Holmes Program has been instrumental to my success at every level.”
Monika Williams Shealey, PhD
Professor of Special Education
Senior Vice President, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Rowan University
”The Holmes Scholar program offers me a plethora of professional development opportunities and best practices in educator preparation while creating a supportive platform to extend my research objectives. I hope that we will continue to illuminate the need for Black women graduate students and faculty in the academy. With the afforded opportunity to establish change in the academy, I wish to use my research with the support of the program to establish a means of access for marginalized students in the academy.”
Leslie Ekpe, MA, MBA
Graduate Student Senate President, AACTE Holmes Scholar National Board Member 2021-2022
Doctoral Candidate in Higher Educational Leadership
Graduate Assistant | Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Institutional Equity, Texas Christian University
“The Holmes Scholars program helped prepare me for a tenure track position at a R1 or R2 institution. Mentors in the program taught me about the faculty job search process, what to negotiate for during the hiring process, and how to strategically plan to be successful in my first year and beyond. Holmes Scholars helped make my transition to a faculty position seamless and taught me what would be expected of me in my role before I even obtained a position. I'm grateful to the Holmes Scholars program for helping me during my doctoral program.”
Autumn L. Cabell, Ph.D., LPC, CCC, NCC, CCTP
Assistant Professor, Counseling, College of Education, DePaul University
"So far, the Holmes Scholar Program has been a wonderful opportunity and experience. It has exposed me to leadership and professional development opportunities. The program has also given me the opportunity to connect and work with like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds across colleges and universities in the United States. As I continue to make the best of this lifetime opportunity, I look forward to learning and growing."
Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe
President, Holmes National Council
Doctoral Candidate, Higher Education & Student Affairs, Ohio University
