(L-to-r) Michael Medina, Grace Kim, Rohan Arcot, Michael Dennehy, Ayana Bass, and K’nadja Sims. Photo by Matt Woolverton

Holmes Scholars

BU Holmies Connect at the AACTE Research and Dissertation Retreat

On November 7-8, 2025, BU Wheelock hosted the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Research and Dissertation Retreat for Holmes Scholars (aka, “Holmies”). Twenty-seven scholars from 12 different institutions of higher education programs, working across various disciplines, gathered in a collaborative learning space. An annual event, the retreat is designed for Holmies to learn, ask questions, access support, and engage in forward movement on their dissertation journey.

The retreat kicked off with a welcome session on Thursday evening, organized by AACTE, where Holmies broke bread together and spent time getting to know each other. Dr. D’Annette Mullen, a lecturer in BU Wheelock’s Special Education program and the first BU Holmes Scholar faculty hire, and Dr. Azaria Cunningham, a BU Holmes postdoctoral fellow, welcomed fellow Holmies to Boston with an evening of story-sharing about their doctoral journeys, which included moments of gratitude, challenge, and resilience. The evening set the stage for two full days of community building and engaged learning.

During day one, Michael Dennehy, BU Holmes coordinator and executive director of College Access & Student Success, kicked off a full day of learning by delivering the opening remarks and extending a cordial welcome to the conference attendees. Anne Tapp Jaksa, chair of the AACTE Board, provided the welcoming remarks to the scholars. Following this were concurrent presentation sessions, categorized by the scholars’ current academic status (e.g., track one: prospective and first-year doctoral students; track two: doctoral students approaching or starting candidacy; and track three: doctoral candidates). Scholars self-selected tracks based on their learning needs and interests.

BU Wheelock faculty member Dr. Michael Medina guided students in a reflective critical thinking session focused on conceptual and theoretical frameworks, while Dr. Elizabeth Bettini provided guidance on what many scholars identify as an extremely long and challenging part of the proposal process—the infamous Chapter 2: Writing a literature review. Dr. Grace Kim led a plenary session focused on navigating the academy as a scholar of color, highlighting complexities with examples and providing strategies and truth-filled dialogue during the Q&A. Scholars concluded the session blocks with a lunch and learn, during which Dr. Mandy Savitz-Romer, a senior lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education, discussed various components of publishing. 

On day two, scholars received a warm welcome from BU Wheelock’s Dean Penny Bishop, which then led to a dynamic panel of Holmes alumni who gave tips for getting to the dissertation finish line—because a good dissertation is a done dissertation! Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO for the National Center on Learning Disabilities, Dr. Cunningham, and Dr. Mullen filled the room with a depth of realness about their Holmes journey, reflections about entering the academy, and living boldly within and beyond the “ivory tower” through their research, service, advocacy, mentorship, and support of their Holmes community. As Holmes alumni, they held a particularly special space for scholars in that moment, leaving their fellow Holmies hopeful, excited, and invigorated for what lies beyond the dissertation journey.

Following the panel, there were two additional concurrent sessions. Dr. Kathleen Corriveau, associate dean for faculty affairs, conducted a session on formulating a compelling and fundable research proposal. Dr. Christina Dobbs, associate professor and program director of English Education for Equity & Justice program, facilitated a session on comprehending the peer review process for scholarly publication. Dr. Tina Durand, clinical associate professor and director of the Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development PhD program, facilitated the concluding plenary session on forming and collaborating with your dissertation committee.

Each day concluded with a writing/work session where postdoc writing support was provided by Dr. Cunningham, alongside faculty support, dissertation-focused peer discussions, and quiet work spaces. The event attracted BU faculty members to participate and foster community, including Dr. Detris Adelabu, clinical professor in counseling psychology & applied human development, and Dr. Davena Jackson, assistant professor of urban education.

The importance of the Dissertation Retreat cannot be overstated. There are so many ways to lose ourselves in the plight of defining ourselves in our research and in the classroom that we can forget to fill our cups with our own greatness. Holmes has been a rejuvenation space of sorts for years when it comes to community building and justification in academia, a space filled with people who don’t look like us or share our journeys.

The time spent together with our fellow Holmes community was an important reminder to each of us that our brilliance and authentic perspectives shine brightly; our commitment and contributions to the field of research are critical; and we have a network of support to accompany us along the challenging journey. Our Holmes Scholar community is a conduit of hope, and together, we proudly state: Once a scholar, always a scholar!

About the authors: Ayana Bass is a BU Wheelock doctoral student in educational studies focusing on special education. D’Annette Mullen is a lecturer in BU Wheelock’s Special Education program. Azaria Cunningham is a BU Holmes postdoctoral research associate in teaching and learning at BU Wheelock.