History of Fostering Scholars
The UNLV Fostering Scholars Program began following the recognition and understanding that students who have experienced foster care during their lifetimes may have different experiences and needs than a traditional college student. Once the NSHE Foster Youth Success Initiative began moving forward, the next logical step for Nevada was to launch a campus-based support program for students who had experienced foster care. UNLV has the largest student population in Nevada and has the most diverse student population in the nation! UNLV was chosen to launch the first campus-based support program for students who had experienced foster care. In 2020, UNLV was awarded a grant for dedicated staff to support students who had experienced foster care. During the Spring of 2021, the candidate search committee, which included students who had experienced foster care, selected Heather Richardson as the UNLV Fostering Scholars Program Coordinator. Ms. Richardson championed the start of the program with her 16 years of experience working for the Clark County Child Welfare System, in addition to her lived experience as a former foster youth. When Ms. Richardson went on medical retirement in the Spring of 2024, Keva Francis, one of the program's former graduate assistants and practicum students, was selected as her successor for the Interim Program Coordinator role in the Fall. In the Spring of 2025, the program was moved from the Office of Service, Learning & Leadership to the newly developed Office of Student Support and Advocacy under the Division of Student Affairs.
Mission
Our mission is to empower and uplift students who have experienced foster care by providing a holistic campus-based support program at UNLV. Through personalized coaching, engaging workshops, and tangible resources, we aim to foster a nurturing environment that enables these resilient students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ultimately paving the way for their success in higher education and beyond.
Purpose
The purpose of Fostering Scholars is to address the unique challenges faced by students with foster care histories by offering tailored resources and services that help them thrive in their academic pursuits. Fostering Scholars is increasing the awareness among current and former foster youth that higher education is an attainable goal due to the funding resources and support available at UNLV. The program aims to improve retention rates, increase graduation rates, and promote overall well-being for students who have experienced foster care.
Vision
The UNLV Fostering Scholars Program is a campus-based community support network with dedicated programming to support students who have experienced foster care in pursuing a degree from UNLV. This program is student-led based on best practices and is the first of its kind in the state of Nevada. The UNLV Fostering Scholars Program draws together resources from across the institution, the local community, Clark County, and the state of Nevada to help address the educational, social, emotional, physical, and financial needs of UNLV students with a history of foster care experience. The UNLV Fostering Scholars Program acts as a single point of contact for students.
The UNLV Fostering Scholars Program partners with the Clark County Department of Family Services, Clark County Social Services, NSHE, Children’s Advocacy Alliance, iFoster Jobs, and other state and local agencies to raise awareness of UNLV staff and other community partners regarding the needs of students who have a history of foster care experiences. Fostering Scholars is also working to increase the awareness among current and former foster youth that higher education is an attainable goal financially due to the funding resources for former foster youth, as well as the support available to them at UNLV by the Fostering Scholars program.
Services
- Provide personalized assistance and support with educational goals, financial aid, emergency financial assistance, daily needs, and all necessary resources
- Empower program participants with personal, academic, and professional development resources including assistance with finding a job, housing, resume building, etc
- Ensure scholars can take advantage of all UNLV has to offer, both inside and outside the classroom (i.e. link to clubs & activities on campus and off-campus)
- Provide a welcoming environment to support achievement for students of all identities as they transition into university life
- Connect students to communities to boost support, a sense of belonging, growing sense of community, and purpose
- Facilitate and enhance student learning and engagement
Program Successes and Achievements
The Fostering Scholars Program has seen amazing successes and growth since its start in the Fall of 2021. As of the Spring of 2025, the program has seen some of the following measurable outcomes:
- Nineteen (19) graduates since the program's inception with a cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Provided sixty-one (61) students with textbook assistance in the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Provided one-hundred and six (106) students with $500 Involvement scholarships geared toward program engagement in 2023 and 2024
- Assisted four (4) students with getting their financial aid reinstated through Satisfactory Academic progress appeals
- Raised over $45,000 in private donor funding to help support the program
- Provided twenty-seven (27) scholars with emergency assistance funds
- Received three (3) years of funding from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation Grant