UNF COEHS selects first cohort of doctoral Holmes Scholars

The University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) has announced the first cohort of doctoral students to receive the Holmes Program Fellowship in partnership with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

The AACTE Holmes Program supports doctoral students from historically underrepresented groups in careers such as teaching, school administration or the education professoriate, and establishes an environment of mentorship and support by preparing the students to engage and interact in the larger professional community.

“This fellowship opens doors for our doctoral students by providing resources that allow them to participate in an esteemed professional network,” said Dr. David Hoppey, director of the UNF COEHS Doctor of Education program, who is spearheading the Holmes Scholar program and managing the recruitment process. “We are very excited to connect this group of scholars with additional opportunities to grow their professional careers.”

Students will receive access to a wealth of local resources as well as opportunities to engage in national-level policy and advocacy efforts. UNF Holmes scholars will present their research at the AACTE annual conference as well as participate in the AACTE Holmes Scholars Summer Policy Institute and AACTE Day on the Hill.

The 2020 inaugural cohort includes Charles McWhite, second year doctoral student and principal of Tiger Academy Elementary, a UNF Professional Development School; Brooke Cobbin, a fourth-year doctoral student and local mentor to aspiring educators; and Dione Webber, doctoral candidate and administrator at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Jacksonville.

UNF joined the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Holmes Scholars Institution in 2019 and accepted its first cohort of high school seniors in 2019 as Holmes Honor Scholars.

Inclusion in the Holmes Partnership, which consists of 70 universities in the United States, enables the UNF COEHS to grow its network of community and national partnerships while also making a real difference in the local community.

UNF is currently accepting application for the second cohort of doctoral Holmes Scholars for the 2020-21 academic year. The deadline for interested students is August 1, 2020. For more information, email Hoppey at david.hoppey@unf.edu.