University Advising
Office of Undergraduate Education
Vanessa M. Holmes, Ph.D., is an experienced higher education professional, educator, and leader dedicated to advancing student access, persistence, and success in postsecondary environments. For more than two decades, she has led faculty, undergraduate and graduate students across public research universities, historically Black colleges and universities, and community colleges. Dr. Holmes’s scholarship anchors her professional practice and advising philosophy. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University, where her dissertation examined factors influencing African American college retention and completion at selective research institutions. She also holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education, with a concentration in Student Access and Success, from University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Journalism from The Ohio State University. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University.
Most recently, Dr. Holmes worked as a Research Evaluation Associate with the University of Michigan’s Center for Education Design, Evaluation and Research. In this role, she used qualitative methodology to support assessment initiatives that strengthened academic programs and student success efforts. Throughout her career, she has integrated advising, teaching, leadership, and evaluation to help students clarify goals, navigate challenges, and persist to graduation.
The phrase “Spartans Will” is so powerful. In my opinion, it signifies a call to action to every Spartan. This rallying cry reminds Spartans of their capacity to achieve any goal they set for themselves or successfully collaborate with others to accomplish collective greatness.
The best advice I have been given is to do your best and trust the outcome! Meaning, you should have a sense of peace in knowing you did your best regardless of the outcome because everything will work out the way it should and positively impact your life.
My favorite part of being an undergraduate was discovering that I could master anything with enough hard work. Once I found what genuinely interested me, nothing could stop me from diving deep into that subject.
I have degrees from Big Ten rival schools: Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, and University of Michigan.