The Audrey D. Holmes Scholarship, founded by The Holmes Family in memory of Ms. Audrey D. Holmes and administered by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, is awarded to a University of New Haven female, undergraduate sophomore who has declared a criminal justice major.  Ms. Holmes believed that having a strong educational foundation was the key to success. She received her BS degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.  For 28 years, she worked for the Connecticut Department of Corrections and Board of Pardons & Paroles.  She was appointed to the Board of the Emergency Management Shelter and has chaired various committees. 

Since 1995, she remained an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, holding the positions of Graduate Advisor and Sergeant-at-Arms.  As a  Graduate Advisor of Xi Omicron Chapter, the undergraduate chapter whose membership includes students from the University of New Haven, she received the Graduate Advisor of the Year Award.  Ms. Holmes also received a North Atlantic Regional appointment to serve on the My Sister’s Keeper Committee. Ms. Holmes was adored as a leader and mentor.

The recipient of the Audrey D. Holmes scholarship must maintain a 3.0 GPA, be of African American descent, and involved in extra-curricular activities. Preference for this award is given to a student who is a resident of New Haven County. If, however, no student meets this criteria, the awardee shall be a resident of the State of Connecticut. This scholarship is awarded to the same individual during her sophomore, junior, and senior years as long as she continues to meet the above criteria. Should the recipient not meet the above criteria in either her junior or senior year, a new sophomore student shall be chosen.