Supporting Marginalized Doctoral Students

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s (AACTE) Holmes Scholars Program supports historically underrepresented doctoral students by providing them with the academic and professional guidance needed to be successful in the field of education.

Scholars accepted into the program will have access to a national network of university Holmes chapters, research and mentoring opportunities. Active members will have opportunities to attend the AACTE Annual Meeting, Annual Holmes Scholars Summer Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and dissertation research retreats.

holmes scholar graduating

The program is coordinated through the Bagwell College of Education Holmes program at Kennesaw State University. There is an application process and an expectation that members of the program will actively engage in Holmes events and programming.

Holmes Scholars Program History

The Holmes Scholars Program was established in 1991 by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education to support doctoral students enrolled in education programs from historically underrepresented communities. Approximately 700 Scholars now hold positions as tenured faculty and university administrators since the inception of the program.

The goal of the program is to provide mentorship, peer support, and professional development opportunities to Scholars, who will serve as outstanding candidates for future faculty and leadership

Eligibility


The AACTE Holmes Scholars Program supports doctoral students from historically underrepresented communities (includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, and people with exceptionalities) pursuing careers in education. Graduate students have the opportunity to apply to the program each year, and the Bagwell Holmes Advisory Group will annually select 2-4 scholars to join the program cohort.

Eligible graduate students must be in good academic standing, have successfully completed one semester of doctoral coursework, and have the ability to commit 2-3 years to the program.

Interested? Fill out this short form and we’ll get in touch.

If you would like more detailed information about the Holmes Scholars Program, or the application process please contact Dr. Belinda Edwards at bedwards@kennesaw.edu.

  • The BCOE Holmes Scholars application opens annually in January and closes on April 15.  Opens again in August and closes on December 15.  The application includes the submission of a short essay and short answer questions.

    Application Instructions
    • Connection with peers in the Bagwell College of Education
    • Engagement with Bagwell graduate faculty in regular mentoring meetings
    • Membership in a national network of peers with access to dedicated online social networks
    • Mentoring opportunities by Holmes Scholar alumni currently in academia and other leadership positions
    • Opportunities to present their research at the AACTE Annual Meeting
    • Dedicated mentoring programs at the AACTE Annual Meeting
    • A job fair at the AACTE Annual Meeting and access to position announcements through the year
    • Annual Holmes Scholars 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
    • Attend the AACTE Holmes Scholars® Dissertation Retreat and Research Symposium