Holmes Scholars® Program
Join Our Community2025 Holmes Research & Dissertation Retreat
Hosted in Partnership with Boston University Join AACTE for the 2025 Holmes Research and Dissertation…
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Hosted in Partnership with Boston University
Join AACTE for the 2025 Holmes Research and Dissertation Retreat — designed specifically for graduate students in colleges of education. This immersive experience offers:
- Dedicated writing time
- Community-building opportunities
- Interactive sessions on dissertation committees, funding, research methods, publishing, and more
- Expert guidance on theoretical frameworks and scholarly strategies
Whether you are just starting your doctoral journey or nearing completion, this retreat is a space to learn, grow, and connect.
Mission
The mission of the Holmes Scholars® Program is to create a professoriate and education leadership pipeline that is representative of the diverse student body in America’s schools, and to elevate and empower graduate students whose academic interests prioritize ensuring fairness, belonging, and equal opportunity in education for all.
Impact at a Glance
Retention and Completion Success
of Holmes Scholars successfully complete their advanced degrees, a rate significantly higher than national averages
Mentorship and Professional Growth
of scholars report that the mentorship and professional development opportunities provided by the program contributed to their career advancement
Leadership Development
of Holmes Scholars go on to hold leadership positions in education, helping to diversify faculty and administration in higher education
Hear Their Stories
Learn More About the Program
The Holmes Program, founded in 1991 by the Holmes Group, is dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and cultural
competence in education. Led by AACTE since 2010, the program supports graduate students from diverse backgrounds pursuing careers in education through mentorship, peer support, and professional development. While its focus has evolved, its mission to diversify the profession remains unwavering. Learn more about the program — view the Holmes Scholar brochure.
Program Overview Join Our Community
Sydney Carroll is an exemplary doctoral scholar whose academic excellence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity in education make her a standout for the Holmes Scholar of the Month.
A second-year doctoral student in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in teacher education development at the University of North Carolina, she has emerged as a scholar-leader deeply invested in advancing research, promoting inclusive education, and uplifting her academic community.
July 2025 AACTE Holmes Scholars Bulletin
Our voices are not ornaments to be polished for the academy; they are instruments of truth, resistance, and healing. In this moment, as scholars of color, we must embrace the power and necessity of our unique voices, especially when injustice tries to silence them.
What happens when your very presence, voice, and truth disrupt spaces that were never designed to hold you?
Read more and stay engaged with the Holmes community.
Resources
Access helpful tools and information to support Holmes Scholars and participating institutions, along with guidance on how to join the Holmes Program and become part of the community.
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Membership Directory 
Online Community 
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Resource Library