AACTE is excited to introduce you to the inaugural Holmes Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center for Equity (ECIPC-E) Cohort. The ECIPC-E, a national center at the University of Connecticut funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, aims to enhance outcomes for infants and young children with disabilities and their families by bolstering the pipeline of skilled early childhood leaders and practitioners. Holmes scholars participate in monthly professional development workshops, support research activities, and receive an annual stipend of $2,200 to support their academic and scholarship pursuits.

AACTE successfully launched the program with an initial cohort of 11 doctoral students last fall, with applications for the second cohort now open. The application window will close on April 30, and scholars will be accepted on a rolling basis, so do not wait to apply. Applicants must be pursuing a doctorate in early childhood special education. You can learn more about the partnership and this opportunity and apply online.

Congratulations to our first ECIPC-E Holmes Cohort including the following scholars:

Samira Bashiru

Purdue University
PhD (May 2026)

Concepcion Cummings

University of Florida
PhD (May 2026)

Ja'Toria Palmer

Indiana University Bloomington
PhD (2026)

Jingyuan Zhang

Purdue University
PhD (Fall 2024)

Jinwei Song

University of Connecticut
PhD (Spring 2025)

Kiana Njoku-Ibe

Texas Woman's University
PhD (Dec 2024)

Marlena Jenkins

University of North Florida
EdD (Spring 2024)

Nicole Hall

Texas Women's University
PhD (August 2024)

Catherine Restrepo-Widney

Florida Atlantic
PhD (Fall 2025)

Ashley Grays

University of Central Florida
PhD (Summer 2024)