THINGS WE DO BEST
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:
College Planning
Helping families meet their educational goals
- High School to College
- College to Graduate / Professional School
- SAT/ACT Prep
- Psychological Type Assessment Testing
Career Planning
Helping individuals meet their career goals
- Career Seekers
- Career Changers
- Veterans
Employee Development
Helping Employers to provide college and career planning services to their employees and families
- Career and skill development
- Education and College Planning
- Increases employee attraction, retention, and engagement
- An attractive voluntary Benefit – strengthening employee financial, mental and career wellbeing
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)
Member of the National Career Development Association.
OUR 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 has 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, 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 national and local conferences and educational forums. In addition to providing leadership in her consulting firm, she 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.
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 - Director of Operations and Programs Manager.
Diane Rhynes
Diane Rhynes joined Holmes Smith Consulting Services (HSCS) to serve as the Director of Operations and Programs. In this role, Diane oversees the SAT/ACT Tutoring Preparation Services, Parents and Guardians College Planning Resources, and provides Career Coaching and Job Preparation Assistance. Prior to joining HSCS, Diane worked as an Operations Director and Certified Staffing Consultant with PrideStaff-Wilmington for six and half years. Prior to that Diane owned and operated the Sisters Childcare Center, serving the families of North Philadelphia for over 10 years. Diane possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with 20 years of clinical and pharmaceutical research expertise. She serves on the Executive Board of Girls Inc. of Delaware and is the chair for the Personnel Committee and team member of the Outreach Committee. She also volunteers at various organizations such as the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington, Sunday Breakfast Mission (Homeless Shelter), St. Patrick’s Center (Food & Clothing Donations), and the SHRM/Educational Program/ Delaware Technical and Community College. Diane is a proud member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.
Beverly Cole-Bennett - Employee Development Consultant
Beverly Cole-Bennett,
Ed.D. M.S., M.B.A.
Dr. Cole-Bennett is the Founder and CEO of BCB Consulting Service, providing leadership consulting to varied businesses and non-profit organizations. Dr. Cole-Bennett also provides one-on-one and group coaching, succession planning training, guidance in changing corporate cultures, leadership training, team building, process mapping, “Lean” process improvement techniques, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and negotiation skills. Additionally, she serves as a mentor and coach to individuals working to improve professional relationships, seeking professional growth, attending undergraduate or graduate school, as well as those who are entering/re-entering the workforce.
Over the span of 38 years, Dr. Cole-Bennett has held several staff and leadership corporate positions within Quality, Engineering, and Research and Development while being employed at General Mills Inc., Gerber Products, Amway Corporation, Pfizer Inc., and Zoetis. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degrees in Zoology and Package Engineering from Michigan State University, a Master of Business Administration from Eastern College, a Master Certificate in International Business from Argosy University, a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate.
Dr. Cole-Bennett founded community mentoring and women’s ministry organizations and serves on several community Boards.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holmes Smith Consulting sponsors a variety of college and career planning workshops
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Using Staffing Agencies
Why Work for Staffing Agencies
FREE Virtual Workshop
August 16, 2023 Time: 6:00pm
November 15, 2023 Time: 6:00pm
COST: NOMINAL FEE
Who Should Attend: Job seekers who want to be boldly independent & successful!
Register by submitting your full name, phone #, and email address to drhynes@holmessmithconsulting.com
All Participants will be entered to win Prizes & Giveaways
Space is Limited. Register Today!
Resume Writing
Resume Writing Challenges & Tips
Virtual Workshop
September 16, 2023 Time: 10am-11am
December 13, 2023 Time: Time: 6:00pm
COST: NOMINAL FEE
Who Should Attend: Job seekers who want to be boldly independent & successful!
Register by submitting your full name, phone #, and email address to drhynes@holmessmithconsulting.com
All Participants will be entered to win Prizes & Giveaways
Space is Limited. Register Today!
Job Interviews
Job Interviews – Do's & Don'ts
Virtual Workshop
October 25, 2023 Time: 6:00pm
December 14, 2023 Time: 6:00pm
COST: NOMINAL FEE
Who Should Attend: Job seekers who want to be boldly independent & successful!
Register by submitting your full name, phone #, and email address to drhynes@holmessmithconsulting.com
All Participants will be entered to win Prizes & Giveaways
Space is Limited. Register Today!
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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Get Dr. Pat’s Book
The Power of Parent Involvement in the College Planning Process: A Guidebook to Help Parents and Students Approach the College Planning Process Efficiently and Productively Together
