Shanita L. Pettaway Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to the Shanita. Pettaway, the March 2019 Holmes Scholar of the Month!

Pettaway, a native of Mobile, AL is a Ph.D. candidate in administration of higher education at Auburn University. She is focusing her research on the areas of administrative law, higher education law, human resources, public policy, historically black colleges and universities, as well as, the higher education professoriate—a logical and instinctive continuation of her previous graduate education. Her dissertation consists of a multi-content analysis of Title IX policies at historically black colleges and universities.

Graduating in 2008, with the highest academic average of a senior in business Administration from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University, Pettaway is also an alumna of Southern University Law Center (Juris Doctor), Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (Master of Public Administration), and Auburn University (Master of Education, Administration of Higher Education; Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching).

Evandra Catherine Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to Evandra Catherine, Holmes Scholar of the Month for December 2018!

Catherine is an active member of the Holmes Community where she has attended and actively contributed to a number of Holmes conferences and retreats. Catherine is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University whose research interests include emotion socialization of preschool-aged Black boys, preschool teachers’ emotion socialization behaviors, preschool exclusionary discipline policy and professional development on emotional competence for preschool teachers.

Kayla Elliott is Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to Kayla C. Elliott, Holmes Scholar of the Month for November 2018!

Elliott attends Florida Atlantic University (FAU) College of Education where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership. Elliott’s dissertation topic is The Influence of performance based funding on power and relationships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Her research interests include higher education equity, higher education leadership, higher education policy, historically black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions, and more.

LeTrecia Gloster Named October Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to LeTrecia Gloster, the October 2018 Holmes Scholar of the month.

Gloster is currently a doctoral candidate studying educational leadership at Bowie State University. Her research topic is a case study on the impact of mentorship on the trajectory and sustainability of African American women superintendents.

She completed her undergraduate studies at Bowie State University where she received her B.S. in mathematics education and her master’s degree at Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

Taewon Kim Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to the August 2018 AACTE Holmes Scholar of the Month, Taewon Kim!

A doctoral student in counseling psychology at Purdue University since 2017, Kim studies the meaning found in academic and work experiences, especially for women and underprivileged populations. She hopes to explore and develop factors that promote resilience for people with low social status.

Whitney Watkins Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to Whitney Watkins, Holmes Scholar of the Month for June-July 2017! Watkins is a third-year doctoral candidate in the Higher Education and Policy Studies Ed.D. program at the University of Central Florida (UCF).

Watkins recently completed a 2-year tenure as president of the Holmes Scholars Council, marked by her heart and passion for equity and diversity. Putting forth all efforts into the Holmes Program expansion, she was excited to see the organization grow.

At UCF, Watkins teaches at least two classes a semester focusing on student leadership and development, often with a heavy focus on diversity initiatives. In addition, she serves as the adviser for two student organizations on her campus and mentors countless individual students from a variety of backgrounds, reflecting her incredible passion for college student development and leadership.

Gafford Named Oct. Holmes Scholar of the Month

By Carlos Richardson

Congratulations to October Holmes Scholar of the Month Cara Gafford!

Gafford is a 4th-year doctoral student at Bowie State University (MD). She is also academy director (vice principal) of the Academy of Information Technology at Friendship Collegiate Academy, a college preparatory high school in Washington, DC.

Her research interests include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and student achievement in STEM learning at high-poverty schools.