27 Jan2022
By Marybeth Gasman
PHOTO CREDIT: VON HARRIS PRODUCTIONS
This article originally appeared in Forbes and is reprinted with permission.
In 2020, vast changes in higher education due to racial justice movements and the impact of Covid-19, resulted in colleges and universities clamoring to respond with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. One aspect of this response came in the form of newly elected African American student body presidents and student leaders. Whereas the majority of these posts had been held by White students for decades, the “interlocking” of COVID-19 and racial justice turmoil prompted Black students to create platforms for change on their campuses, and as a result their classmates elected them to leadership positions.
27 Jan2022
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Ejana Bennett, Holmes Scholar of the Month, for January 2022. Bennett is currently a second-year doctoral student in the Curriculum, Culture and Change Ph.D. program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Bennett’s research examines how teacher-critical racial consciousness impacts implementation of culturally relevant practices, student-teacher relationships, student learning outcomes, and student development, as well as opportunity gaps that positively address the racial/ethnic student-teacher mismatch.
18 Jan2022
By Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe
Sponsored by Ohio University’s Patton College of Education, the Holmes Council, and AACTE, the Holmes Scholars Leadership series is a free, four-part series of conversations that will explore the leadership trajectories and experiences of various individuals connected to the field of education. The series will launch on January 31 and continues through April 25. The first session, “Leadership Lessons: A Conversation with Established Leaders,” features Renée A. Middleton and Lynn M. Gangone. Participation is free. Register at tinyurl.com/yheh3tkc
10 Jan2022
By Weade James
AACTE, in partnership with Texas Christian University (TCU), is pleased to announce a new Holmes post-doctoral fellowship opportunity. TCU is seeking a DEI Scholar Fellow in the Educational Leadership Higher Education Leadership program designed to support teaching and research efforts. The DEI Scholar Fellow will receive culturally relevant supports from the Holmes Program at AACT. Launched in 1991, the Holmes Program provides mentorship, peer support and professional development to master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral scholars who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing a program of study in education. The selected fellow will engage in shared learning experiences alongside 200 active Holmes Scholars from across the country and will benefit from an alumni network of 700+ faculty, deans and leaders in education.
03 Jan2022
By Kamilah Bywaters
This article is a reflection from Holmes Scholar Kamilah Bywaters on the session “How to Use National Data Sets for a Greater Purpose” one of a five-part Holmes Fall Learning Series convened by AACTE.
For all my change-makers in the world, there is a wide range of data sets that are available for your use. It is my pleasure to share with you what I recently learned when I attended the AACTE Holmes Fall Learning Series session entitled, “Using National Data Sets for Education Policy Research.” The session was led by Jacqueline E. King, who provided valuable resources to guide the researcher in collecting useful data for their policy research initiatives. King shared the websites for the National Center for Education Statistics and Title II Reports. The resources provide vital information for every level of education.
21 Dec2021
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Kirsis Dipre, Holmes Scholar of the Month for December 2021. Dipre is currently a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Syracuse University. She is also a visiting assistant professor in counseling at the University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut.
Dipre’s professional background includes over 3 years of experience as a counselor working with children, adolescents, and adults. In her work, Dipre has primarily served racially and ethnically minoritized populations who are often impacted by systems of oppression. She is currently the mentorship committee chair for the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) and is a National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Minority Fellow with expertise in clinical mental health and multicultural counseling.
02 Dec2021
By Diandra J. Prescod
In Fall 2020, the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education was selected to join the more than 50 higher education institutions nationwide currently sponsoring the Holmes Scholars Program. Meet the new Holmes Scholars through the following Q&As:
Meet Holmes Scholar Sandra Silva-Enos
Hometown: I was born in Lima, Peru, but grew up in both New London, Connecticut, and Waterford, Connecticut.
Which academic program are you in?
I am currently in EDCI [the Department of Curriculum and Instruction] focusing on Bilingual and Bicultural education.
Why did you seek to join the Holmes Program at UConn’s Neag School?
I sought to join the Holmes program because I believe in the power of mentorship and peer support. I think there is something so powerful in community support and mentorship, and as a student of color it is not always easy to find that community in the higher education world. The Holmes Program makes that world more of a reality.
Where were you previous to joining the program?
Prior to joining the program, I was working on a research project focused on sociocultural competence in the dual language classroom. I was and am working with a fabulous research team who are dedicated to the importance of critical consciousness and equity for our linguistically and culturally diverse students.
19 Nov2021
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Sergio Maldonado Aguiñiga, Holmes Scholar of the Month for November 2021. Aguiñiga is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Purdue University. Aguiñiga previously attended California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, where he majored in psychology with a minor in political science. While volunteering with the Prison Education Project and Reintegration Academy, he developed interests in integrating character strengths approaches in counseling practices for youth offenders and former and currently incarcerated individuals.
Aguiñiga’s interests in the field of psychology lie in positive psychology and applying the theoretical background in the practice of counseling psychology for youth offenders, former gang members, and formerly incarcerated adults transitioning into the community.
22 Oct2021
By David Hoppey
The University of North Florida is a proud partner of the AACTE Holmes Program and recently expanded its Holmes cohort to include five new doctoral students pursuing degrees in education. Read their bios below to learn more about the Holmes scholars’ backgrounds and research interests.
18 Oct2021
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Diana Gallardo Holmes Scholar of the Month for September 2021. Gallardo is currently a doctoral student in the counselor education and supervision program at The Pennsylvania State University. She is an alumna of Northwestern University where she obtained her master’s in Mental Health Counseling. She has extensive experience in bilingual therapy, leadership, and psychodynamic oriented group work.
22 Sep2021
By Shauna Torrington
This article is a personal reflection of the 2021Washington Week Holmes Policy Advanced Policy Course by attendee Shauna Torrington.
My takeaways from my participation in the Holmes Advanced Policy Course have been threefold. This course has impacted me as an international student, an advocate, and as a practitioner.
As an international student, I have a greater understanding about the terminology that is normally used in policy advocacy. This new knowledge has enabled me to follow along with a clearer understanding during discussions on policy. The words representative, senator, and congressperson also now have greater meanings for me. I am aware of the basics of the legislative process and can better follow the process of how a bill becomes a law. I now know what it means to introduce a bill or to sponsor a bill. Additionally, I know what a “markup” means and what is the process that comes after a markup. I know where to look to find information on my senators and my representatives. I know how to contact their offices or to see what issues they voted for or against.
20 Sep2021
By Natalie Hewlett
This article originally appeared on UofLNews.com and is reprinted with permission.
Lorita Rowlett, like so many students, wears a variety of hats: mother, teacher and student, to name a few.
Rowlett is pursuing her doctoral degree in special education through the College of Education and Human Development and says it is the only path she could have imagined pursuing.
“After I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I went right into teaching and taught in a self-contained classroom for eight years,” Rowlett said. “I switched to special education because I have a son who was diagnosed with autism, so it became my life. I wanted to help other moms like me.”
Initially inspired to improve the curriculum and instruction for students in her own classroom, Rowlett returned to UofL to receive her master’s degree in special education with a focus in autism studies.
17 Sep2021
By Rangel Zarate
This article is a personal reflection of the 2021 Holmes Policy Institute by attendee Rangel Zarate.
This year’s AACTE Holmes Policy Institute was rich with memorable discussions about culturally-relevant care, digital technology in the classroom, and equity issues in schools.
The year 2021 has led to an unexpected metamorphosis in education and has forced many instructors and educational leaders to rethink the way they approach student learning and their own teaching practices. In our conference panel discussion, “Advancing Educational Equity Post-COVID” AACTE staffer and associate professors at Columbia University’s Teachers College Deltra Price-Dennis and Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz invited us to reflect on our own thoughts surrounding this new culture of change in educational institutions.
17 Sep2021
By Kamilah Bywaters
This article is a personal reflection of the 2021 Washington Week Holmes Policy Institute by attendee Kamilah Bywaters.
AACTE’s Holmes Policy Institute was literally “a breath of fresh air.” The gathering was a reminder of the extraordinary leaders within our nation who are dedicated and committed to forward thinking ideas that are good for all of humanity. I was more than thrilled to hear from Jessica Cardichon, assistant secretary in the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development with the U.S. Department of Education. Her specific role that day was to inform Holmes Scholars of the initiatives and goals of the Biden Administration. To top it off, Nick Lee, the deputy assistant secretary for higher education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development with the U.S. Department of Education, provided valuable information on one of the objectives to ensure that higher education is equity focused and affordable to underserved and underrepresented communities. I am filled with hope to know that many of our nation’s leaders listen to the communities they serve and strive to implement policy that provides access and does good in the world.
02 Sep2021
By Jerrica Thurman
Are you following highlights of the AACTE 2021 Washington Week on Facebook and Twitter at #AACTEWW21? In addition to blog posts and testimonial videos, AACTE recently released a Washington Week infographic on social media. Check it out below!
