By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing

Students from the foster care system have historically been underrepresented on college campuses due to unique challenges they face.

Many who "age out" of the system need to quickly find housing and employment, learn to live independently while juggling financial constraints, and pursue a degree while acclimating to college life. This transition frequently happens without much of a support system.

A new $60,000 grant from the Genspiration Foundation for an onboarding and mentorship program aims to change that dynamic by supporting incoming USF students emerging from foster care and navigating the transition into higher education.

"Empowering individuals to reach their potential is a core value for the Genspiration Foundation," said Judy Genshaft, president of the board of directors of the Genspiration Foundation and former USF president. "Our organization chose to support the USF Pearls program because of the impact support provided by the program has on improving the academic outcomes and the future success of these students."

The new onboarding program will be part of USF Pearls (Peer Empowered, Academic Resources and Learning Support), a program developed in 2020 that offers individualized guidance and resources for foster care alumni students.

Research from the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education shows these students have a higher likelihood of dropping out of college. The overall goal of USF Pearls and the new onboarding program is to increase rates of college graduation.

"USF Pearls creates a structure of stability for these students, with a dedicated support team that provides a consistent presence checking in on them, guiding them and keeping them on track," said Laura Zuppo, regional assistant vice chancellor of student success at USF St. Petersburg. "With the support of the Genspiration Foundation, we are excited to expand programming and further support these students into and out of college."

The onboarding program, which starts once foster care alumni are accepted into the university, will provide assistance with key aspects of beginning college, from FAFSA to understanding campus support services. It also includes a half-day event designed to ease the transition from high school to college and introduce these students to Pearls staff members.

Then once attending, students will work with dedicated team members who will offer comprehensive academic, mentoring and career services throughout their college journey, providing a support system to graduation.

"USF Pearls has been intentional in fostering a sense of community among former foster youth and equipping them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves effectively. This sense of belonging has been crucial for their emotional well-being and academic success," said Jenelle Bell, senior support coordinator for USF Student Outreach & Support. "By leveraging this new grant funding, the program will be able to deepen its impact, providing even more robust support to former foster youth and ensuring they thrive both academically and personally."

The Genspiration Foundation is a family foundation founded by Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum. The foundation's mission is to support education and innovation through initiatives that deliver measurable and impactful outcomes that benefit society.

Begun at USF St. Petersburg and expanded to the Tampa campus, the Pearls program will soon have an active presence on all three USF campuses. It has already had an immense impact on the population it is serving, according to past participants.

"I know I would never have graduated college if it wasn't for USF Pearls," said Derrick Perez, who graduated from USF in 2023 and is now a filmmaker and producer for movies and television. "Sometimes when you come from a certain situation, it is really hard to ask for help. Sometimes you need someone who understands your situation and who can support and advocate for you. And now because of my advocates, I'm the first in my entire bloodline to have a college degree.

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