Holmes Scholars Program

The COE Holmes Scholars Program provides students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. with resources and professional development to best position them for tenure track faculty positions. Students have to apply to the program and are selected based on an active research agenda and excellent academic standing in their doctoral program.

Lehigh University's College of Education is a member of American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the Holmes Scholars Program, which is designed to support students from historically underrepresented communities enrolled in doctoral programs in education.

Students eligible to become Holmes Scholars are:

• Students from historically underrepresented communities

• Matriculated in a doctoral program in special education, teaching, leader, or school and counseling psychology 

Each year up to five students (one from each program) are selected, through an application process, as scholars to serve for a three-year period.

Benefits for Lehigh Holmes Scholars include:

• A national network of peers with access to dedicated online social networks

• Mentoring opportunities with Holmes alumni in academia and leadership positions

• Financial support to attend the AACTE Annual Meeting with opportunities to present your research, receive dedicated mentoring, and attend a job fair

• Annual Holmes 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

• National leadership and professional development opportunities at the national level including conference presenting and policy/advocacy training

Holmes Scholars will:

• Attend and present at the AACTE conference each year

• Attend at least one AACTE Holmes Scholars Summer Institute during their three-year term

• Mentor future scholars through a local mentorship program

• Participate in workshops within the College of Education and attend Holmes Scholar meetings at Lehigh

Students interested in applying should complete the following application by August 19th. Questions should be directed to Dr. Christopher Liang at ctl212@lehigh.edu with the subject line: Holmes Scholars Application.