Support for Students from Foster Care
WSU actively participates in Washington's Passport to College Promise Scholarship Program, launched in 2008-09 to help students from the foster care system to prepare for, and then attend and succeed in, college.
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Through the Passport program, WSU students who have been in the foster care system can access significant support from freshman year through graduation, with targeted assistance in academic, personal/social, financial, and career areas. |
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Gov. Christine Gregoire with WSU Passport Scholar Sasha Davison |
CACD Support for Passport Scholars
Designated support staff, including an academic advisor and a college coach, in the Center for Advising and Career Development (CACD) helps Passport Scholars to, for example, ...- receive specialized academic advising during orientation and lead them as they explore the university and surrounding community as they settle in to college
- enroll in "College Success" (UColl 497), a one-credit class introducing skills needed to succeed in an academic environment, and participate in "Critical Literacies Achievement Support Program" (English 101)
- meet with support staff including peer tutors regularly to review personal goals and make progress toward them
- participate in study tables weekly during the first year, develop a study schedule and time management plan, build a health and wellness/nutritional plan, and attend wellbeing workshops regarding campus resources
- review their financial aid package, complete a semester budget, borrow textbooks from a lending program, and fill out income statements and scholarship applications
- plan career development goals, create a résumé, and attend career fairs
- participate in social events with fellow Passport Scholars and others
Employment of Peer Tutors
A Passport Scholars Peer Leadership Program matches returning scholars with freshmen to promote their academic, personal, social, ethical, and leadership development. Highly trained peer leaders mentor new members in the above areas and also lead efforts such as coordinating community service projects, visiting with prospective Passport Scholars, and helping mentees learn how to communicate with their instructors. In so doing, the peer leaders boost their own leadership and interpersonal skills and gain career development opportunities. Through state funding managed by the external non-profit organization, the College Success Foundation, a paid peer mentor will work part-time with program staff to meet the needs of Passport Scholars at WSU.
Partnerships within WSU
The CACD works with a number of other WSU units to ensure Passport Scholars' academic success, including the McNair Achievement Program, Student Support Services/TRiO, and Multicultural Student Services.
Passport Scholars Form Friendships, Build Teams to be Trusted
For more information, contact:
Sharon Ericsson
Passport Designated Support Staff/Academic Advisor
509-335-8065
ericssons@wsu.edu
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Amy Shultz
Passport Designated Support Staff/College Coach
509-335-5661
Passport.Scholar@wsu.edu
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