The University of Maryland College of Education recently launched its inaugural cohort in the Holmes Scholars Program, which provides mentorship, peer support, professional development and scholarly experiences to graduate students in U.S. colleges of education.
Established by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) in 1991, the Holmes Scholars Program aims to cultivate future education leaders who reflect the nation’s students and communities and who can meet the needs of the next generation of diverse learners. In addition, the program elevates scholarship that advances fairness, belonging and equal opportunity in education.
There are currently Holmes Scholars Programs at 67 colleges and universities. Nationally, 98% of Holmes Scholars successfully complete their advanced degrees, and 80% go on to hold leadership positions in education. The program has more than 1,000 alums who serve as faculty, researchers, university provosts and presidents, state and local representatives, nonprofit leaders, PK-12 educators, education agency professionals, advocates and more.
“As our college takes on grand challenges, we are particularly focused on eliminating the inequities we face in educational, developmental and mental health outcomes,” said Dean Kimberly Griffin. “The Holmes Scholars program allows us to support students that share those goals and aims to build a pipeline of education leaders who are prepared and positioned to advance change and make an impact.”
Mary Taylor-Lewis, senior faculty specialist and senior coordinator for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Education, is the program’s coordinator. Assistant Professor Keisha Allen, the program’s faculty mentor, provides one-on-one support to the scholars. Satra D. Taylor, a Ph.D. student concentrating in higher education and a graduate assistant in the Dean’s Office, works with Taylor-Lewis and Allen to develop and support the program.
“We know that graduate programs can often be very isolating. The Holmes Scholars Program gives graduate students a deeper community within the college and also with a cohort of scholars across the country. They’re not alone in their journey,” said Taylor-Lewis.
“The program ensures that talented, diverse voices are impacting education and changing the systems of education for the better,” she added. “We are building the College of Education Holmes Scholars Program with the vision that it will forge a professoriate and education leadership pipeline of culturally and equity-minded EdTerps who will engage in and lead efforts that transform education for good.”
The Inaugural Cohort
First convened in November 2025, the inaugural cohort of the UMD College of Education Holmes Scholars Program comprises three second-year doctoral students: Destiny Hunter, Abigail Smith and Diamond Emelda Williams. Scholars participate in the program for at least three years.
Hunter, a Ph.D. student in urban education, is pursuing research that centers the schooling experiences of Black girls—particularly their perceptions of teacher care and how those relationships shape racial identity, school connectedness and academic self-esteem. Her work bridges research and practice to reimagine schooling as a space of healing, belonging and liberation for marginalized youth. Before beginning her studies at UMD, she served as the school behavioral health coordinator and social work intern supervisor at Girls Global Academy in Washington, D.C.
Smith is a Jamaican international Ph.D. student in the international education policy program, whose research interests focus on the internationalization of higher education, education development in the Caribbean through epistemic justice (the right of all people to their own knowledge and ways of generating and valuing it), and the experience of Black teachers, students and faculty in U.S. education systems. She has worked in student affairs in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and on Semester At Sea.
Williams, a Ph.D. student in special education, researches culturally relevant education and its manifestations in secondary special education settings. She taught for 10 years in New York City Public Schools and spent eight years as an adjunct professor at Hunter College, supporting teacher candidates on best practices when working with students with disabilities. Williams is a learning specialist, teacher coach, motivational speaker and author. She chronicles her educational journey and houses resources for students and teachers on her YouTube channel (@DiamondEmerald).
Holmes Scholars National Programming
Holmes Scholars benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with a supportive national network of peers through in-person conferences, virtual gatherings, social media groups and online communities. They also have access through the national program to professional development, fellowships, dissertation funding opportunities, invitations to speak and publish, and networking with leaders in higher education, government and the nonprofit sector.
Every year, all active Holmes Scholars nationwide are required to attend the Holmes Scholars Preconference to the AACTE Annual Meeting, and all scholars are encouraged to present their research there at least once. The preconference includes sessions and plenaries, poster sessions, professional development workshops, job talks, a career fair and mentor matching. Taylor-Lewis, Allen and the three UMD College of Education Holmes Scholars attended this year’s preconference from February 18 to 20 in New Orleans.
Smith said that the preconference gave her an opportunity to bond with the UMD Holmes community, connect with scholars in the field and hear other students speak confidently about their work. She shared that one highlight was a sunrise hike to New Orleans’ Monument to the Immigrant statue. “As an international student, this time was reflective for me as I thought about my journey to the U.S. and through my doctoral journey amidst unpredictable restrictions on my success,” she said. “The words of affirmation and support from my fellow Holmes Scholars were also comforting. I truly felt at home with the Holmies!”
In addition, each June, Holmes Scholars from across the nation participate in Washington Week, a three-day policy institute in Washington, D.C., where they learn to translate their research into advocacy and community impact and meet with congressional representatives.
This fall, UMD will host the program’s annual research and dissertation writing retreat for all Holmes Scholars nationwide. The multiday retreat will help scholars foster peer relationships and build skills in research design, analysis and writing.
Holmes Scholars Offerings at UMD
In addition to the national convenings, the UMD College of Education Holmes Scholars Program offers professional development and community building opportunities, which are open to all students in the college.
On December 12, 2025, the program hosted a three-hour writing retreat, which offered a peaceful and structured environment where students could work on their own projects in community with peers while enjoying snacks, drinks, music and positive affirmations. Due to the strong positive response from participants, the program will offer an additional writing retreat in May.
In a virtual professional development workshop on navigating conferences, the UMD College of Education Holmes Scholars Program held on February 12, a panel of graduate students and faculty shared tips and insights on how students can maximize their conference experiences by cultivating lasting relationships and honoring and leveraging their strengths. The next workshop, planned for March 13, will focus on co-authoring and publishing research.
More information about the program and future cohorts will be available on the program’s webpage.
