Campus-Based Programs

Specific Campus-based Programs Focused on Students from Foster Care

Colleges

Miami-Dade College

Educate Tomorrow at MDC

ET@MDC supports MDC students impacted by the foster care system or homelessness and is housed in the Single Stop department across campuses. Each ET@MDC student is assigned a College Coach to aid in the transition to college, with a unique focus on enrollment, retention, and completion. Students are also paired with a Changemaker Peer Mentor for added support in navigating academic, personal, and life-skills development.

Program Contact:

Janet Mapp, Director

North Campus Single Stop office, Room 1119 B

jmapp@mdc.edu | (305) 237-1444

St. Pete College

Rise

The mission of the Road to Independence, Success, and Excellence program, better known as RISE, is to increase the graduation rate of students using the Florida Department of Children and Families Tuition and Fee Exemption and students using the Homeless Fee Exemption, as well as to enhance their overall academic experience through advocacy, mentorship, extracurricular opportunities, and streamlined connections to resources.

Program Contact:

Austin Crawford

(727) 341-4464

crawford.austin@spcollege.edu

Tallahassee Community College

The Emerging Eagles Program

The Emerging Eagles Program (formerly Fostering Achievement Fellowship Program) was established to address the overwhelming need for a comprehensive support structure to assist foster youth in making the transition from a structured foster care program to independent young adulthood. The Emerging Eagles program will provide financial, academic, and social support to assist college-bound youth aging out of foster care to pursue a college education. These supports come in many forms, including individual and group meetings, the creation of educational plans, as well as the continued linkage of resources both within the TCC community and the Tallahassee community at large.

Program Contact:

Kayla Dover, MSW

casemanagement@tcc.fl.edu | (850) 201-6124

Universities

University of South Florida

USF Pearls

USF Pearls is a program designed and created for all USF students that have lived within the foster care system. The program provides intentional supportive coaching to help ensure these motivated and talented students on all our campuses achieve their academic goals at USF.

Program Contact:

Jenelle Bell

jenelleb@usf.edu | (813) 974-6130

University of Central Florida

The Knight Alliance Network

The Knight Alliance Network provides foster care alumni students with support as they transition to become successful students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The program demystifies the college experience, assists students navigate through the university landscape, and helps to prepare them to succeed at UCF and beyond.

Program Contact:

Tammy Nadeau, PhD. Director

tammie.nadeau@ucf.edu | (407) 823-1832

Florida State University 

The Unconquered Scholars Program

The Unconquered Scholars Program provides an array of support services promoting overall success to youth who experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care, or ward of the State status. Florida State University is committed to meeting the unique needs of Unconquered students so they experience the long-term professional and personal benefits associated with educational attainment.

Program Contact:

Caitlin Cates, Program Manager

cmcates@fsu.edu | (850) 644-3605