Fostering the Future: Building Campus Support Systems for Foster-Connected Students

The transition from foster care into higher education is a critical — and often overlooked — stage in a student’s journey. In this episode of EduVoices: Championing Foster Futures, hosts Dr. Dusty Palmer and Dr. Stephanie Barbre explore how colleges and universities can play a vital role in helping foster-connected students access, persist in, and complete their degrees. Joining the conversation is Ariana Hernandez, M.Ed., Director of the Raider Relief & Advocacy Center at Texas Tech University, along with Cindy Garza, M.S., Program Coordinator and Foster Care Liaison for the Fostering the Future initiative. Together, they share how coordinated campus supports — including tuition waiver guidance, emergency financial assistance, food and housing resources, mentorship, and community-building — help reduce barriers and promote student success. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges foster-connected students face in higher education, the importance of cross-campus collaboration, and the innovative strategies institutions can use to create pathways to belonging, stability, and long-term achievement. This episode highlights how intentional support systems can transform college access into meaningful opportunity — helping foster-connected students not only enroll, but thrive.