March 30, 2016
Tia Holmes, a first-year computer science major at UNC-Chapel Hill, was awarded a 2016 Google Lime Scholarship. The scholarship carries a $10,000 grant for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The Google Lime Scholarship is a partnership between Google and Lime Connect to help university students with disabilities work toward their academic goals in the field of computer science. Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic background and demonstrated passion for the field.
In addition to the $10,000 grant, Holmes was also invited to the Google Scholars Retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California in June 2016.
Holmes was very proud to be recognized by Google and Lime Connect for her work.
“Receiving the Google Lime Scholarship is truly an honor, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to network with Google employees and the other scholars,” Homes said.
As a child, Holmes was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The disorder affects her speech and movement, but it has motivated her to advocate for inclusion at both the university and national level.
At just twelve years old, Holmes was invited to attend the National Youth Inclusion Summit in Washington, D.C., where she and 20 other teenagers developed a campaign to raise awareness about inclusion, and to provide opportunities for youth to share their ideas about inclusion and to promote inclusive practices in schools and communities. Holmes has spoken at the National Council on Disability’s National Disability Policy Summit and worked with organizations including TASH, Kids Included Together (KIT), and Girl Scouts of the USA.
“I can’t imagine a more deserving recipient of a Google Lime Scholarship than Tia Holmes,” said Dr. Tessa Joseph-Nicholas, a computer science senior lecturer.
“Tia is that rare individual in whom intelligence, skills, creativity, and accomplishment are grounded in personal integrity—the integrity and compassion that motivate her ongoing advocacy for accessibility, inclusion, and diversity in her field, on campus, and beyond.”
Holmes is a member of the Honors Program and serves on the Student Government Student Technology Advisory Board. She wants to continue to improve the world around her, and she sees computer science as a field that will further empower her to do so.
“Technology is changing the world as we speak,” Holmes said, “so I am very excited to be at the forefront of revolutionary change and impact.”