The TCU College of Education, in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE),hosted the 2024 Holmes Research and Dissertation Retreat from Oct. 31 through Nov. 1. The retreat brought together AACTE Holmes Scholars—graduate students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse—from across the country to engage in focused writing sessions, professional development and community-building activities.
The Holmes Scholars Program, under AACTE, supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in their journey to become education leaders and advocates. This retreat at TCU exemplified the program’s mission to elevate scholars through research, mentorship and collaboration.
Creating a Space for Connection and Empowerment
For many scholars, the retreat served as a reminder of the power of community during
the often isolating dissertation process. In a reflection shared by attendee Mayra
Marquez-Mendez, a doctoral candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she emphasized
the profound impact of connecting with peers who understand the challenges of the
doctoral journey.
"Engaging with peers who openly shared their productive struggles, perseverance strategies and motivations provided both solidarity and inspiration," Marquez-Mendez said. "The retreat reminded me that while the dissertation process is challenging, it is not insurmountable when supported by a network of understanding colleagues."
The event’s design reflected the Holmes Scholars’ diverse needs, with sessions tailored to specific stages of the doctoral journey: prospective students, candidates approaching candidacy and those in the dissertation phase.
-
Professional Development Tracks: Scholars participated in sessions ranging from developing a research agenda to understanding conceptual and theoretical frameworks. The sessions provided actionable strategies to enhance their academic work and advance their research goals.
-
Faculty-Led Workshops: TCU faculty members led impactful sessions tailored to scholars’ needs. Endia J. Lindo, Ph.D,
Jo Beth Jimerson, Ph.D., Cathryn van Kessel, Ph.D., Miriam Ezzani, Ed.D., Francyne Huckaby, Ph.D., Taryn Ozuna Allen, Ph.D., Pablo Montes, Ph.D., Steve Przymus, Ph.D. and other esteemed faculty offered workshops on topics such as developing a research agenda, selecting conceptual frameworks and navigating the dissertation process.
-
Collaborative Opportunities: Structured collaborative spaces allowed scholars to engage in peer editing, revision and independent writing while fostering meaningful connections with fellow scholars. Marquez-Mendez described the experience as energizing and reaffirming, highlighting the importance of shared purpose in academia.
"The retreat became a space for capacity building—not just in terms of academic skills but also in cultivating the interpersonal connections necessary for professional growth," she shared.
Enriching the Scholar Experience
The retreat also featured a special presentation by Leslie Ekpe, Ph.D. ’23, assistant
professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce, who shared insights on leveraging research
for positive change. Scholars, including those from Syracuse University, The Ohio
State University, University of Florida, Texas Woman’s University and others, engaged
in robust dialogue throughout the two-day event.
Community-building activities like the Welcome Happy Hour set a collaborative tone for the retreat, reinforcing the importance of connection and shared experiences.
Looking Ahead
The Holmes Dissertation Retreat underscores the TCU College of Education’s dedication to creating inclusive spaces for future
education leaders. By fostering collaboration, professional development and mentorship, the college and AACTE continue empowering Holmes Scholars to pursue research and advocacy that will drive meaningful change.
Reflecting on the experience, Marquez-Mendez concluded, "The combination of practical sessions, collaborative opportunities and a supportive community created an environment that was both motivating and empowering. Most importantly, the retreat reminded me that while the dissertation process may be daunting, it is also an opportunity for growth."
Read Marquez-Mendez’s full reflection on the Holmes Scholars Retreat on the Ed Prep Matters blog.
The TCU College of Education is proud to partner with AACTE and remains committed to transforming education for all learners.
