Files
Description
Oral history interview with Illinois State University alum Dr. Aja Holmes, Class of 2000 and 2002. The interview was conducted by Milner Library Digitization Center Coordinator Karmine Beecroft on September 27, 2024.
Originally from Chicago, Holmes was raised primarily by her father and brother, with education emphasized as a key priority in her family. She initially aspired to attend Florida A&M University but ultimately chose Illinois State University due to a scholarship opportunity. At ISU, she majored in mass communication with an emphasis on radio production and minored in English. Later, she pursued a master’s degree in college student development at ISU before earning a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State University.
Holmes’ time at ISU was marked by extensive campus involvement and leadership. As an undergraduate, she was engaged in student activism, programming, and Student Government. She participated in leadership programs such as Leadershape, advocated for increased diversity in campus programming, and worked on initiatives like securing university divestment from Shell Oil due to ethical concerns. Holmes also contributed to improving student-police relations through collaborative efforts that began during her involvement with Leadershape. Her activism extended to protesting unfair labor practices at Disney and advocating for maintaining support programs for high-potential students.
In addition to her leadership and activism, Holmes worked multiple jobs on campus, including food services and university catering. She also gained experience in radio broadcasting at WZND and was involved in Resident Life, where she later became a graduate assistant. Her time in Student Government and leadership organizations helped shape her passion for higher education administration, leading her to a career in Student Affairs.
Throughout the interview, Holmes reflects on her identity as an African American woman, a Christian, and a person with dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, advocacy, and resilience. She shares how she discovered her dyslexia at ISU and developed coping mechanisms that contributed to her academic success. She also highlights the importance of mentorship from faculty and administrators who supported her educational and professional aspirations.
Currently, Dr. Holmes serves as the assistant dean of Students and Director of Community Living at the University of San Francisco. She oversees residential life, off-campus living, and the university’s food pantry, integrating Jesuit values such as cura personalis (care for the whole person) into her work. Her commitment to student affairs and social justice continues to drive her efforts in creating inclusive and supportive campus environments. Holmes remains an engaged ISU alum, participating in university events whenever possible.
Interview Date
9-27-2024
Index
- Introduction: 00:00-01:00
- Holmes’ early life and high school years; Young Chicago Authors: 01:00-05:47
- Attending First Look; first impressions of ISU: 05:47-08:15; 16:36-17:13
- Aspects of Holmes’ identity: 08:15-09:30
- Observing a birth; changing major from biology to mass communication; working at WZND radio: 09:30-12:45
- Pursuing master’s degree in Educational Administration and Foundations: 12:45-14:48
- Involvement in Leadershape: 14:48-16:36
- Relationship with University President Victor Boschini: 17:13-19:23
- Involvement in Watterson and Manchester Unity groups: 19:23-20:32
- Involvement in Black Student Union, Student Government, and Sunset Book Club: 20:32-22:54
- Living in dormitories; serving as house mother for Zeta Tau Alpha: 22:54-25:33
- Campus work experiences: 25:33-26:07
- Drs. Arnold Wolfe and Frank Suggs: 26:07-27:53
- Remedial math class; coping with dyslexia: 27:53-29:55
- Transportation; working at Walmart: 29:55-32:55
- Clothing trends: 32:51-34:27
- Technology changes; using Eudora email and chat rooms; first computer: 34:27-37:23
- Milner Plaza drainage; campus landmarks: 37:23-39:16
- Hang-out spots off campus; Bottle of Justus; attending sporting events: 39:16-40:14
- Attempting to bring Black performing artists to campus: 40:14-41:17
- Protesting closure of High Potential Students program, Disney sweatshop labor, and Shell Oil: 41:17-47:11
- Killing of African American student in Chicago: 47:11-48:19
- Meaningful faculty and administrators at ISU: 48:19-52:31
- Involvement in Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Best Buddies: 53:41-55:03
- Participation in Alternative Breaks trip to volunteer at Johnson-Brinson Center: 55:03-56:10
- Multicultural Center: 56:10-57:10
- Pursing doctoral program at Iowa State University; dissertation topic: 57:10-01:00:43
- Current position at University of San Francisco; principle of cura personalis: 01:00:43-01:03:21
- Involvement in ISU as an alum: 01:03:21-01:04:41
- Environment at ISU for people from marginalized groups during Holmes' time as a student: 01:04:41-01:06:43
- Support Holmes experienced at ISU: 01:06:43-01:08:38
City
Normal, IL
Recommended Citation
Holmes, Aja, "Interview with Dr. Aja Holmes, Class of 2000 and 2002" (2000). Alumni Oral Histories. 81.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/81
