Holmes Scholars® Program

• Membership in a national network of peers with access to dedicated online social networks.
• Mentoring opportunities by Holmes Program alumni currently in academia and other leadership positions.
• Opportunities to present research at the AACTE Annual Meeting.
• Dedicated mentoring programs at the AACTE Annual Meeting.
• Annual Holmes Summer Policy Institute in Washington, DC, including participation in AACTE’s Day on the Hill and networking events associated with the AACTE State Leaders Institute.
• Annual Holmes Dissertation Retreat and Research Symposium hosted by a Holmes Program institution.
• Leadership and professional development opportunities at the national level, such as participation in conference presentations and policy/advocacy training.

Participating institutions select individual AACTE Holmes Program participants who meet the following criteria:

• Are master’s students at current Holmes institutions, or doctoral students pursuing careers in the education field.
• Are students who self-identify as racially or ethnically diverse pursuing graduate degrees in the field of education.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and diversity.

Students selected as Holmes Program participants agree to the following expectations:

• Commit to a 3-year term.
• Continue to participate in school-university-community collaborative partnership arrangements for research, service, or advocacy activities.
• Attend the AACTE Annual Meeting (including the Holmes Program preconference sessions as well as the full AACTE Annual Meeting).
• Participate at least once in the AACTE’s Washington Week (including the Holmes Summer Policy Institute and Day on the Hill).
• Propose and implement a project that relates to or forwards the goals of AACTE and authentically engages the program in advocacy, policy, service, or research work.
• Participate in activities and meetings sponsored by the National Association of Holmes Scholars Alumni during the final year in the Holmes Program (some of these activities take place during the AACTE Annual Meeting).
• Participate in at least one other education conference or field trip.
• Uphold program requirements in high regard.