Doctoral Student Shawnda Cherry Awarded Third Place in Holmes Scholars Dissertation Funding Competition

Shawnda Cherry, a doctoral student in the NC College of Education’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development educational leadership concentration, took third place in the Holmes Scholars Dissertation Funding Competition this February. 

Cherry’s dissertation, entitled “It’s Just Good Teaching: An Exploratory Case Study of the Perceptions of Rural Teacher Residents About Culturally and Historically Responsive Education,” examines the perceptions of rural teacher residents about culturally and historically responsive pedagogy. It is also designed to unearth rural teacher residents’ perception of the teacher residency program in which they are participating. Her dissertation advisor is Assistant Professor Jenn Ayscue. 

In winning third place in the competition, Cherry was awarded funding to cover dissertation-related expenses, which can include data collection and analysis costs, software fees and editing services.

“As a Black female doctoral candidate from a small, rural town in North Carolina, winning third place in the Holmes Scholars Dissertation Funding Competition was validation for me,” Cherry said. “I proved to myself that I not only belonged in the room full of scholars from all across the country, but I could also command the stage. This moment affirmed for me the importance of my research and partnerships with schools.”

The Holmes Scholars Program recruits, prepares and sustains scholar-leader students who reflect and understand the implications of diverse perspectives in the nation’s learning communities. Students in the program receive mentorship, peer support and professional development opportunities.

College of Education Assistant Professor Ruby Ellis is the faculty program coordinator for NC State’s Holmes Scholars.