AACTE Welcomes New Holmes Scholars
The AACTE Holmes Program supports students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing graduate degrees in education at AACTE member institutions.
AACTE is excited to welcome two new Holmes Scholars from Syracuse University.
Etije Mehdori Walker, a doctoral student in Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University, is currently a teaching assistant for EDU 470 in the Selected Studies Education program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. Walker is passionate about creating equitable classroom spaces, where students of color feel valued and respected by teachers who understand and appreciate them. As a practitioner, she is actively working to prevent history from repeating itself, recognizing that students of color are still fighting for diverse and equitable schools and classroom spaces — years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Her current research interests include exploring the effectiveness of charter schools for Black students in urban areas and the amplification of student voices within the K-12 sector. Walker is committed to enhancing the educational experience for all students of color.
Hemalathaa Kasiviswanath Yuvaraja, a second year Ph.D. Scholar at Syracuse University’s School of Education, is studying in the Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation department. A first-generation student from Bengaluru, India, she moved to the United States to continue her education. She is the current treasurer of the School of Education Graduate Council. Hemalathaa’s research interests include design of instructional intervention (instruction and feedback design) with XR technology for psychomotor skill learning. She aims to strengthen disciplinary leadership skills by offering to present, assist, and share viewpoints on instructional design pedagogy and practice, all while maintaining a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia. Hemalathaa aspires to be recognized as an architect of learning experiences, bringing research-driven solutions to instructional design challenges in academia and other relevant fields.
Congratulations to Etije and Hemalathaa on being selected to join the Holmes Program!
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