AACTE Holmes Scholars
The AACTE Holmes Scholars Program supports students from historically underrepresented
communities who are enrolled in doctoral programs in the College of Education. Students
receive financial support for up to three years. There is no specific deadline or
application for the Holmes Scholars Program. Holmes Scholars are selected during the
Ph.D. admissions process by the Department to which they are applying. If you are
selected as a Holmes Scholar, your department will notify our office, you will be
notified and provided next steps.
Current Scholars
Gaurav Harshe
Gaurav Harshe (तो/ he/ him) is an AACTE Holmes Scholar at the University of South
Carolina where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Higher Education Administration program.
He critiques the research landscape of international higher education by lending his
international student of color lived experience to the neoliberal academic conversation.
His research interests are in the internationalization of higher education of the
U.S. and focus on the intersectionally marginalized and privileged experiences of
Indian international graduate students of color, and topics related to minoritized
religious and spiritual identities.
Tempestt Johnson
Tempestt Johnson is an AACTE Holmes Scholar, Grace Jordan MacFadden Professor Program
Scholar, and SEC Emerging Scholar at the University of South Carolina where she is
pursuing a Ph.D. in Language and Literacy. Through her work with Black women and girls,
she seeks to call out and critique anti-Blackness and highlight the lived experiences
of Black folks across the diaspora in educational and community spaces. Her research
interests include African American Language in terms of bilingualism, translanguaging,
the lived experiences of Black girls and women, and the intersection between Black
girlhood, African American Language, and dance.
Kerwin Johnson
Kerwin Johnson is an AACTE Holmes Scholar at the University of South Carolina, where
he is obtaining a Ph.D. in the Teaching and Learning Program. He does research in
teaching and learning methods within literacy and examines ways to modernize literacy
skills through technological innovations. Kerwin is from Conway, South Carolina. While
in Horry County, he taught numerous English courses at North Myrtle Beach High School.
He now uses that experience to build upon his pedagogy. He is a graduate of Coastal
Carolina University where he obtained a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentrations
in English and Education) and an M.A.T. in Secondary English Education. His achievements
include being a Life Scholar, Coastal Carolina Graduate Student of the Year for the
Spadoni College of Education, Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success,
and a presenter numerous times for the South Carolina Conference for the Teachers
of English. He aspires to attain professorship at a university contributing to research
and programs that improve educational practices for students of all backgrounds."