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.   

AACTE is excited to partner with the University of Maryland, College Park for the 2026 Holmes Research & Dissertation Retreat, sponsored by Google, November 6 – 7, 2026. 

Registration for this event is $99 for Holmes Scholars but is open to graduate students from other AACTE member institutions for $299.   

Refer a colleague and earn a $25 Amazon gift card. If you refer a non-Holmes scholar from your institution—or any AACTE member institution — ask them to enter your name in the “Who referred you?” field when registering. Once they register, AACTE will send you a $25 Amazon gift card as a thank-you. 

The event begins with an optional welcome reception on the evening of November 5, followed by two full retreat days. Approximately half of the retreat is dedicated to dissertation completion and research skill-building sessions, with the remaining time reserved for focused writing and optional on-site support from postdoctoral advisors. The retreat concludes at 4:45 p.m. on November 7, allowing participants the option to travel home that evening. 

Doctoral Holmes Scholars are required to attend at least one AACTE Holmes Research & Dissertation Retreat, funded by their institution, during their participation in the program. Coordinators are not required to attend and are encouraged to participate only if they plan to serve as on-site writing advisors.

Book Marriott Book Cambria Book Best Western View Agenda

2027 Holmes Preconference

February 24–26, 2027
Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio

The Holmes Preconference, held annually in conjunction with AACTE’s annual meeting, AACTE 2027, brings together Holmes Scholars, coordinators, alumni, and education leaders for research, mentoring, professional development, and networking. The 2027 Preconference will take place in Columbus, Ohio, and is required for all active Holmes Scholars and at least one coordinator from each institution.

Designed to support scholars across master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral journeys, the Preconference offers opportunities to present research, receive mentorship, build leadership and career skills, and connect with the broader educator preparation community. Highlights include research and poster presentations, academic job talks, the Dissertation Funding Competition, workshops, and networking designed to strengthen scholarly development, confidence, persistence, and professional connections.

Registration

Holmes scholars and coordinators can attend both the Preconference and AACTE 2027 at a significantly reduced rate when purchased together.

Register for Holmes Preconference Only Register for Holmes Preconference and AACTE 2027

AACTE Holmes Scholars Selected as Co-Guest Editors for Journal of Teacher Education Special Issue

Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) has selected Emmanuel Dwamena of the University of Connecticut and Abigail Smith of the University of Maryland, College Park, as co-guest editors for a forthcoming 2027 special issue on international teacher education.

Through the JTE-Holmes Scholar Fellowship, doctoral students gain hands-on experience in scholarly publishing while contributing emerging perspectives to the field.

Meet the Winners

Emmanuel Dwamena, University of Connecticut
A second-year Holmes Scholar and doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, Dwamena researches science and mathematics teacher retention, equity, rural STEM access, and the role of AI in education. Originally from Ghana, he brings an international perspective to teacher preparation and equity.

Abigail Smith, University of Maryland, College Park
A second-year doctoral student in international education policy and a Holmes Scholar, Smith examines teacher education through the lenses of power, history, and possibility. Her work challenges deficit perspectives of education in the Global South and centers Caribbean Indigenous knowledge and community-led approaches.

AACTE congratulates Dwamena and Smith on their selection and looks forward to their contributions to the 2027 JTE special issue on international teacher education.

Read the full article

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.

Learn More Support a Scholar