Education
Ph.D., Early Childhood Special Education, University of Maryland, 2003
M.A., Speech-Language and Hearing, University of Kansas, 1997
B.A., Speech-Language and Hearing and Art History, University of Kansas,
1995
Areas of Expertise
Autism (social development, communication and connectedness, early diagnosis and intervention,
school-based evidence-based practices and coaching, inter-professional collaboration
and practice)
Empowering and partnering with families of children with disabilities
Coaching and professional development for early intervention and school-based
professionals in supporting students with autism
Building Resilience through Trauma-Informed Practices
Certified Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness and Well-Being Instructor
Biography
Katherine Holman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an associate professor in the Department of Special
Education at Towson University and a certified speech-language pathologist. She is
the director of the Teacher as Leader in Autism MEd. program and is a regional autism
consultant. Dr. Holman presents nationally and leads workshops on how to design instructional
programming to promote successful educational outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
She believes in the power of connection as the primary source of wellbeing and resilience
and is deeply committed to sharing this message.
Research Interests
Dr. Holman’s research focuses on the preparation and support of school-based professionals
who serve autistic students and their families through innovative, interdisciplinary
and community-engaged training models. Her scholarship centers on interprofessional
education and collaboration, ECHO-enhanced professional learning and competency-based
leadership preparation for special educators and related service professionals.
A parallel and expanding line of research examines educator well-being, hope, resilience
and retention, including the design and evaluation of mental health and resilience
interventions for pre-service and in-service educators. Across all projects, Dr. Holman
emphasizes evidence-based practices, family-centered partnerships and systems-level
capacity building to improve outcomes for students, educators and schools.
Selected Publications
- Holman, K.C., Wilson, K., Knollman, G., & Russell, A. (2025). Competency-based interprofessional
education enhances collaboration skills in special education and speech-language pathology
students. Frontiers in Education, 10. doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1581257
- Holman, K.C., Baer Chen, B., & Knollman, G. (2025). Teacher as Leader: An innovative
training program for school-based professionals educating autistic students. DADD Online Journal, 12, 63-80.
- Holman, K.C. (2023). Embracing mindfulness and spirituality to enhance well-being
and resilience in teachers and students. In M.Kirmani, Schroth, S., Chapman, A., Steele,
B., M.Moallem (Eds.). Supporting Children and Youth through Spiritual Education. IGI Global.
- Hussman, J.P. & Holman, K.C. (2018). Supporting students with special needs: Online training modules for school-based professionals
who support students with disabilities (online modules).
- Holman, K.C. (2012). Educating the preschool student with autism spectrum disorder.
In A.L. Egel, K.C. Holman, & C.H. Barthold (Eds.), School success for students with autism spectrum disorders (pp. 83-117). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press, Inc.
Selected Presentations
- Blevins, K., Triantafillou, L., & Holman, K.C. (2025, March). Strategies for interprofessional collaboration within school-based IEP teams. Council for Exceptional Children, Baltimore, MD.
- Holman, K.C, Chen, B., & Knollman, G. (2025, January). Teachers as Leaders: An innovative training program for school-based professionals
educating autistic students. International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities,
Clearwater Beach, FL.
- Holman, K.C, Zimmerman, R., & Ambrose, T. (2025, January). Project ECHO to support the use of EBPs in family-centered coaching in early intervention
in autism. International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities.
Clearwater Beach, FL.
- Holman, K.C., & Wilson, K., Knollman, G., & Ortiz, A. (2024, December). Elevating interprofessional education: Project LINC supplemental training program
in autism. American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Seattle, WA.
- Henry-hulet, K., Holman, K., Knox, R., Best, R., and Ewing, B. (2024, March). Cultivating insights: Unveiling research on K-12 teacher retention through collaborative
inquiry. Association for Teacher Education, Anaheim, CA.
Grants and Contracts
- "Project LINC 2.0. Preparing School-Based Leaders in Autism through Interdisciplinary
Networking and Shared Competencies" (2025-2030). U.S. Department of Education, $1.0M.
-
"Cultivating Resiliency and Well-being in Future Educators: Tiger LINC Club" (2024-2025).
Towson University Tall-Wiedefeld Society, $3,000
-
"Evaluation of the ECHO Model with TALA Students" (2024-2025). France-Merrick Foundation, $3,024.
-
"The multiplier effect: Expansion of the College of Education’s Tiger LINC Mental
Health & Resiliency program" (2024-2025). Towson University Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, $9,860.
- "Project LINC: Preparing School-Based Leaders in ASD through Interdisciplinary Networking
and Shared Competencies" (2021-2024). U.S. Department of Education, $1.1M.
Professional Service
- Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Autism and Developmental Disorders: Poster Award Committee, Member and Journal Reviewer
Honors and Awards
- University Systems of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching,
2021
- Towson University Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award, 2021
- College of Education's Gloria Nuebert Excellence in Teaching Award, 2021
- Wilson H. Elkins Professorship, University Systems of Maryland, 2017
- Disability Advocate of the Year Award, Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities,
2013
