PENN STATEGUARDIAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM What it is, why it is needed and how it would be implemented at Penn State to improve post-secondary educational outcomes for foster youth

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

NATIONALLY

84% Percentage of foster youth

who want to go to college

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

NATIONALLY

50% Percentage of foster youth

who graduate from high

school by 18

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

NATIONALLY

20% Percentage of foster youth

who graduate high school and attend college

Percentage of Youth Attending College

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

NATIONALLY

2-9% Percentage of foster youth who attain a bachelor’s

degree

Kayla Meier Interview https://youtu.be/rkONEkyavH8

Addressing Unique Challenges

• UC Fullerton Guardian Scholars Program

• Founded in 1998

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

PENNSYLVANIA

3,798College-aged foster youth in Pennsylvania

Foster Youth Higher Education Achievement at a Glance

THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE

• FAME– Fostering

Academics, Mentoring Excellence

– College age foster youth in Michigan: 3,497

• Transitions for Youth & Project MYSELF – College age foster

youth in New Jersey: 697

The Role of Penn State

Provide

• Academic Support

• Social/Emotional Support

• Logistical Support

• Financial Support

Provide

• Academic Support

• Social/Emotional Support

• Logistical Support

• Financial Support

Provide

• Academic Support

• Social/Emotional Support

• Logistical Support

• Financial Support

Provide

• Academic Support

• Social/Emotional Support

• Logistical Support

• Financial Support

Office of Student Aid Aid

Office of Resident Life

Penn State Alumni Association

Campus Learning Center

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Office of Student AffairsMulticultural Resources Center

Office for Disability Services

Implementation

Program Structure • Collaborative effort across the

university and community –Guardian Scholars Program

Director–Point Persons in Offices Across

Campus –Guardian Scholars Work Group

Program Structure • Collaborative effort across the

university and community –Guardian Scholars Program

Director–Point Persons in Offices Across

Campus –Guardian Scholars Work Group

Program Structure Single Program Director

Guardian Scholars Program Director

Foster Youth in Guardian Scholars

Program

Independent Living Coordinators

Guardian Scholars Work Group

Campus Resources

Program Structure• Collaborative effort across the

university and community –Guardian Scholars Program

Director –Point Persons in Offices Across

Campus –Guardian Scholars Work Group

Academic Support Social/Emotional

Support Financial Support Logistical Support

• Residence Life • Off Campus

Living• University

Health Services

• Office of Student Aid • Office of the Bursar • Financial Literacy

Office

• Paul Robeson Cultural Center

• Multicultural Resource Center

• Counseling & Psychological Services

• Office of the Registrar• Office of Disability

Services • Career Services Office• Office for Student

Orientation and Transition Programs

• Adult Learner Programs & Services

Program Structure Point Persons in Offices Across Campus

Campus Resources

Program Structure• Collaborative effort across the

university and community –Guardian Scholars Program

Director –Point Persons in Offices Across

Campus–Guardian Scholars Work Group

Program StructureGuardian Scholars Work Group

Point Persons in Key Offices Across Campus

Community Contacts

Guardian Scholar Alumni/Former

Foster Youth

Guardian Scholars Work Group

Advocates

Questions