Empowering Foster Youth in Higher Education with Wendy Simmerman

In this episode of Beyond the Quadcast, Katy Abrams and Misty Evans discuss the Foster Success Program at Utah Valley University with Wendy Simmerman. The program aims to support foster youth in their transition to higher education by providing a comprehensive network of resources and trauma-informed training for faculty and staff. Wendy shares her personal experiences as a foster parent and the challenges faced by foster youth, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment that addresses their unique needs. The conversation highlights the significance of trauma-informed pedagogy and the role of mentorship in fostering success for these vulnerable students. This conversation explores the significance of trauma-informed pedagogy in education, emphasizing the need for faculty to understand and support students' individual experiences. The discussion highlights innovative approaches to student engagement, such as the Know Your Students app at UC Davis, which fosters connections between students and faculty. The importance of empowering students to share their stories and the creation of supportive environments for faculty are also discussed. Finally, future initiatives aimed at enhancing student success, particularly for those from foster care and other marginalized backgrounds, are outlined.Takeaways: Foster youth face unique challenges in higher education.Building a support network is crucial for the success of foster students.Trauma impacts learning and brain development.Training faculty and staff is essential for effective support.The program aims to connect students with resources across campus.