Holmes Scholars® Program

The Holmes Scholars® Program: Established in 1991

AACTE’s Holmes Scholars® Program originated from the Holmes Group, a consortium of major research universities formed in the 1980s to strengthen educator preparation and reaffirm the role of colleges of education as central to the mission of higher learning. These universities came together in response to growing concerns that teacher preparation was undervalued within academia, seeking to demonstrate that preparing excellent educators required both scholarly rigor and strong collaboration across disciplines.   

Building on this foundation, the Holmes Partnership was established in 1996 to unite universities, school districts, and professional organizations around a shared goal: improving how educators are prepared, supported, and developed throughout their careers. The partnership emphasized innovation in teacher preparation, strong connections between schools and universities, and the continuous renewal of educational practice through research and collaboration. 

One of the partnership’s cornerstone initiatives — the Holmes Scholars® Program — was created in 1991 to expand opportunities for talented graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in education. The program was inspired by the Trilogy Reports developed by the Holmes Group between 1986-1995, which outlined principles for strengthening teacher education and leadership. Through mentoring, professional development, policy initiation, and research engagement, the program helps build a strong pipeline of future faculty and education leaders who reflect the nation’s students and communities and meet all learners where they are.    

The Holmes Scholars® Program has continued under the leadership of AACTE since 2010, and its participating member institutions. Together, we invest in scholars’ growth through academic support, leadership opportunities, and national programming that strengthens their persistence in higher education and impact across the education profession. With more than 1,000 alumni, Holmes Scholars now span the realm of education and social impact— as faculty, researchers, university provosts and presidents, state and local representatives, nonprofit leaders, P-12 educators, education agency professionals, advocates, and more.   

Join us for the 2nd Annual Holmes Virtual Graduation Ceremony as we celebrate Holmes Scholars from across the country who have completed their degrees between July 2025 and June 2026.

This special event honors an extraordinary milestone—not only for our graduates, but for the Holmes community and the future of educator preparation. These scholars represent the next generation of leaders advancing equity, strengthening institutions, and shaping the future of education.

The ceremony will feature a commencement address from Holmes Alumnus, Shanika Hope, Ph.D., Director for Americas & Knowledge, Skills, and Learning at Google.org, along with reflections from Holmes alumni and student speakers. Graduates will be individually recognized during the calling of names, offering an opportunity to learn more about each scholar’s journey and accomplishments.

Who Should Attend

All are invited to join this celebration, including:

• Graduating Holmes Scholars (July 2025–June 2026)
• Holmes alumni
• Current scholars and coordinators
• Friends, family, and supporters

Wear your regalia and purchase your Holmes graduation stoles and celebrate with us.

Register Now Purchase Your Stole

Come celebrate this remarkable achievement and honor the impact of the Holmes community.

Washington Week: June 1-3

AACTE’s premier policy & advocacy conference where Holmes scholars learn foundational federal skills, network with national education policy leaders, and visit their congressional representatives on the hill to advocate for AACTE’s federal policy priorities for educator preparation.

Holmes Scholars must attend Washington Week at least once during their tenure in their university’s Holmes Scholars Program. Contact holmes@aacte.org if you are a scholar or coordinator concerned about meeting this requirement.

Any Holmes scholar or graduate student with the capacity to do so. Washington Week is most often quoted as the most transformative part of their Holmes Program experience. We encourage you to attend again or to invite fellow scholars and colleagues to join you.

 Learn more and register

Holmes Scholars Celebrate 35 Years of Legacy and Leadership

The Holmes community joined together to commemorate 35 years of impact, belonging, and excellence in educator preparation. The Holmes 35th Reunion in New Orleans united alumni, current Scholars, and supporters to honor the program’s legacy and invest in its future.

Participants reconnected with peers, shared stories through the “Once a Scholar, Always a Scholar” campaign, and explored new ways to mentor and support today’s Scholars. Proceeds from the celebration helped fund current Scholars’ participation in AACTE’s 2026 national programming.

Attendees stayed engaged by updating their contact information, submitting tributes, and sponsoring Scholars to ensure the Holmes legacy continued to thrive.

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