Stress-Free College and Career Planning
WELCOME
Support, Expertise, and Individualized Attention – what you will receive working with Holmes Smith Consulting Services.
Founded in 2011, Holmes Smith Consulting Services, Inc. (HSCS) is a professional college and career planning services firm that supports parents/students, career seekers, private for profit and non-profit clients. Utilizing a solution and customer focused demand management processes, we prepare and develop clear action plans that result in applicable and executable steps. Our solution focused approach helps our customers create and execute plans thus saving time and money in support of their personal, professional, and family values.
OUR APPROACH
Our solution focused approach helps our customers create and execute plans thus saving time and money in support of their personal, professional, and family values.
We assist our customers with:
THINGS WE DO BEST
Helping families meet their educational goals
- High School to College
- College to Graduate / Professional School
Helping individuals meet their career goals
- Career Seekers
- Career Changers
- Veterans
Helping Children and Young People Thrive
- Improving studying skills
- Developing talents, strengths, and managing their challenges
Enabling Employers to provide college and career planning services to their employees and families
- An attractive voluntary Benefit offering – strengthening employee wellbeing
- Increasing employee retention and engagement
- Encouraging career and skill development

WHY US?
TRUSTED AND ENDORSED BY FAMILIES
01.
One of my biggest fears was always being in debt. I considered not going to college at all if I couldn’t find a way to pay for it. If it weren’t for Dr. Pat I don’t think I would have even gone to college, maybe I would have gone to trade school or something. Now I have everything paid for and have opportunities like studying abroad. Dr. Pat has also given me the chance to intern at Holmes Smith consulting services so that I can build my resume and get bigger opportunities in the future. Whatever career I end up having, I will owe Dr. Pat a lot of credit for helping me get to that point.
— Jhaney. H
02.
My daughter was accepted to all five colleges to which she applied and basically received a full ride to the college of her choice. Thank you for your guidance.
— Chris. D
03.
Dr. Pat was a godsend. She worked side by side with my daughter and was a wonderful mentor to her while applying for scholarships and deciding on a college. Dr. Pat went above and beyond for my daughter, and it felt like I didn't have to do anything. Dr. Pat gave her the encouragement and the resources to find a full scholarship to pay for her education. It would have been a blessing to receive anything at all, and she's gotten other additional scholarships, but when we got the news that her entire schooling would be paid for, including tuition, room and board, and even her books and school supplies, I knew it was a blessing we couldn't have received without Dr. Pat. Dr. Pat is amazing and I will forever be grateful to her for what she's done for my daughter.
— Joeli. D
04.
PASSION & EXPERIENCE
Dr. Smith has spent three decades becoming the authority on college counseling for students and families from a variety of financial and academic backgrounds. Utilizing a holistic, personal approach, she applies her expertise toward the achievement of academic and career goals, relying on her passion, experience, and qualifications, which include:
- Doctor of Education
- Master OF Education (Counselor Education)
- Master of Business Administration
- Certified MMTIC Facilitator (Assessment Tool for Psychological type in children /young people)









OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Patricia Smith - Founder & CEO

Patricia H. Smith,
Ed.D, M.Ed., MBA, CCC, CEP
Dr. Pat Smith established her private practice (Holmes Smith Consulting Services) in 2012 and have assisted numerous clients with meeting their educational and career goals. She is a Certified Educational Planner, Certified Career Counselor and recognized by the American School Counselor Association as a Students with Special Needs Specialist. Dr. Smith is also a member of several national educational, counseling and career development associations and has over 30 years of experience in academic, career, and college planning counseling.
As an experienced consultant, Dr. Pat has worked with employers (for- profit and non-profit and state government organizations) to provide career counseling and college planning to their employees and members – especially parents of high school students. Dr. Pat has shared her college and career planning expertise at conferences and educational forums. In addition to providing leadership in her consulting firm, she has established and manages the Parents and Guardians College Planning Annual Conference, Inc. and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware’s College Awareness and Planning Program.
Dr. Pat is committed to helping customers create and execute plans thus saving time and money in support of their personal, professional, and family values. She has authored a book entitled: “The Power of Parent Involvement in the College Planning Process” and her articles have appeared in The New Castle County Women’s Journal.
In 2018, Holmes Smith Consulting Services received the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Marvin S. Gilman, Superstars in Business Award of Excellence.
In 2022, Dr. Smith was recognized by “The Marquis Who’s Who Publication Board”. In addition, she serves on several boards and committees to include: Parents & Guardians College Planning Conference, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Superstars in Education Committee, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware: Program Development Committee, Literacy Steering Committee, and Scholarship Committee (Chair).
Diane Rhynes - Operations and Programs Manager.

Diane Rhynes
Diane Rhynes joined the organization of Holmes Smith Consulting Services as a full-time Operations and Programs Manager. In this role, Diane will support educational and career services for families and organizations throughout the tri-state of Delaware.
In the previous 6 1/2 years, Diane devoted serving communities of Delaware as an Operations Director and Certified Staffing Consultant with PrideStaff-Wilmington.
Diane has dedicated her volunteer services as a member of the executive board of GIDE for over 1 year and currently the chair for the Personnel Committee and team member of the Outreach Committee.
Diane possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with 20 years of clinical and pharmaceutical research expertise. As Owner-operator of Sisters Childcare Center, she serviced the families of North Philadelphia for over 10 years.
Today, Diane supports the advancement of science as a scientific consultant for independent biotech enterprises and the education of science in schools. Driven to maintain direct engagement with the youth, young adults, and at-risk families, Diane has established partnerships with local churches, schools, and community centers in Delaware.
AFFILIATIONS
- RoseHill Community Center - New Castle, DE
- Seamen’s Center of Wilmington, Port of Wilmington – Wilmington, DE
- Holmes Smith Consulting Services, College Planning Conference-Newport, DE
- Sunday Breakfast Mission, Homeless Shelter – Wilmington, DE
- St. Patrick’s Center –Food & Clothing Donations-Wilmington, DE
- SHRM/ Edcuational Program- Del Tech
EDUCATION
Seton Hall University
August 1985 – May 1989
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology
REQUEST A CALL BACK
We can also meet using video conferencing.
PARENT RESOURCES
As an authority on college and career planning, Dr. Smith has shared her insights and philosophies in print. To review these resources, please click on the links below.
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Sign up here to receive a short assessment plan from Dr. Smith.
Your information will be kept confidential, and you will immediately be granted access to a downloadable PDF on a new page.

Our Offices
3101 W Limestone Road
Wilmington, DE 19804
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1201 N. Orange Street, Suite 7192
Wilmington, DE 19801
Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Phone Numbers
(302) 884-6748 until 5 p.m.
(302) 502-3698 after 5 p.m.