Holly Hilboldt Swain is a doctoral student at The University of Alabama in the College of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education with a first minor in Social Studies and second minor in Literacy. Holly graduated with an Education Specialist degree from the University of West Alabama (2011), a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Troy University (2005), and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama (2003). Holly has been employed by the Ozark City Schools for nearly a decade, where she has been serving students as a kindergarten, fourth grade, third grade, and Title I Summer School teacher. Holly is currently a recipient of the Clara Woodis McDonald scholarship and the National Alumni Association License Tag Fellowship. Holly serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the College of Education where she teaches a social studies teaching methods course and in the fall will teach a language arts teaching methods course. Holly’s research interests include: myths and misconceptions in teaching American History in elementary social studies, the Civil Rights Movement and social justice education in elementary schools, and constructivist teaching methods in literacy and social studies in early childhood education.
Holly’s research has been published by the Office of Research on Teaching in the Disciplines and she also has a manuscript in press with Social Studies Research and Practice. Holly has presented her work nationally at the National Council for the Social Studies and has been selected as one of six scholarship recipients from the twelve attendees chosen from nationwide applicants to the Vice-President Graduate Pre-Conference Seminar in Black Intellectual Traditions in Education at the American Education Research Association (AERA). Holly currently serves as the President of the Graduate Student Leadership Council where she has organized and participated in numerous leadership, service, and professional opportunities. She also serves as Liaison to the College of Education’s Committee to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Integration of the University of Alabama, the Assistant Coordinator for the National Endowment to the Humanities: Landmarks of American History and Culture Grant Proposal- Real Stories, Real People: Foot Soldiers Laboring for the Civil Rights Movement, the Dean of the College of Education’s Graduate Student Advisory Committee, and Chairperson of the Advocacy Committee for the Social Studies Council of Alabama (SSCA).
Holly is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Epsilon National Education Honorary, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, Order of Omega Greek Honorary, and Golden Key International Honour Society. Holly’s hometown is Ozark, Alabama where she serves on varied and diverse community service organizations dedicated to the advocacy of children and underserved populations. She has also assisted her community in numerous leadership capacities including serving as the former President, Vice-President, and Student Recruitment Chairperson of the Dale County Chapter of the University of Alabama’s National Alumni Association. Holly’s co-advisors are Dr. Cynthia Sunal and Dr. Janie Hubbard.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
