2021 SDSU Guardian Scholars Program | Impact of Philanthropy

Impact of YOUR Philanthropy Guardian Scholars Program Impact Report 2021

Message from the Vice President I hope this message finds you healthy and well. On behalf of San Diego State University and the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, we extend our gratitude for your support of the SDSU Guardian Scholars Program.

Effective June 1st, I assumed the role of Vice President of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. The division’s main priorities are ensuring the quality of the SDSU student experience and enhancing diversity within the pathways through higher education, while fostering and affirming a campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Guardian Scholars Program holds a special place, not only at SDSU, but for me as well. My twin brother and I were former foster youth. We were born when our mother was incarcerated and became immediate wards of the court and placed in foster care. We were fortunate enough to be adopted by a foster family, where we grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. Not only do I empathize with our students, but I can relate directly to their experiences.

As COVID-19 has positioned our campus in a very unique circumstance, we were able to determine that we will provide housing for students within the detailed restrictions of the San Diego County’s Center for Disease Control. In doing so, our campus will house students at half capacity, approximately 3,500 beds. Of the individuals prioritized to live on campus, Guardian Scholars are considered as the most critical of our student population.

Your support ensures that our Guardian Scholars are engaged in the campus community and are more likely to continue attending and succeed in college, which results in an increase in graduation rates and improved quality of life for students post-graduation.

We hope you enjoy learning of their recent achievements and know they appreciate the impact you continue to have on their lives. Thank you for all you do for San Diego State University.

Warm Regards,

Dr. J. Luke Wood, Vice President for Division of SACD and Chair of Diversity San Diego State University

Guardian Scholars Program Excellence

The Guardian Scholars (GS) program is a university-wide effort at San Diego State University (SDSU) to provide support to former foster youth, dependents, wards of the court, students under legal guardianship, and unaccompanied homeless youth who have been accepted into SDSU by providing a comprehensive, holistic program with wrap-around services and resources to help each Guardian Scholar work towards achieving their college degree.

These critical services include: GS Scholarships A year-round housing award for on- or off-campus living Priority registration Wellness coaching A dedicated resource area for students to build community and engage with Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP) & GS staff On-site counselors from Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) to address each student’s unique needs A team of friendly staff to offer support and connection to on-campus and local resources

Left to right: Class of 2021 Guardian Scholars graduates Mckayla Shelton and Nitasha Denson

EOP oversees the program and serves as the main resource for Guardian Scholars. Through EOP, GS students also receive services such as: Tutoring Mentoring Summer transitional programs Intensive personal and academic counseling On-site staff from Career Services and Education Abroad

15

ACADEMIC YEARS since the GS program was established

316

STUDENTS have participated in the GS program

Student Success

2007 - 2021

Just one in ten foster youth in California attend college, and only one in 100 graduate*. The outcomes are greatly improved for SDSU students who have the support of the SDSU Guardian Scholars Program. Since its inception in 2007, more than 316 students have had the opportunity to attain a college degree.

SDSU Student Cohort Success Average of all cohorts since 2007

First-Year Continuation Rates

Graduation Rates

89%

94%

77%

First-time Freshman (6-year)

Transfer students (4-year)

First-time Freshman (6-year)

85%

Transfer students (4-year)

The graduation and continuation rates of our GS students are higher or the same as all SDSU students. This is remarkable given the background and challenges our GS students face.

- Miriam Castañon, Director Educational Opportunity Programs & Ethnic Affairs

Source: Children’s Law Center of California

GS Funding

Academic Year 2020-2021 With the generosity of private philanthropy and state funding, we are able to provide scholarships to support the academic journey of Guardian Scholar students. This funding continues to impact their lives each and every day.

Housing | A Transformational Experience SDSU's innovative collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission and Urban Development (HUD) highlights the tremendous impact public/private partnerships can provide for our region's most vulnerable young adults. Residing on campus provides opportunities for students to have access to learning communities and the ability to engage and participate in co-curricular experiences and high-impact practices.

Additional benefits include: Guardian Scholars students are able to focus on their academic studies within a stable living environment, often for the first time in their lives.

Research shows that students who live on campus have higher GPAs, higher retention rates, and can complete their degrees faster than those who live off campus.

By focusing on our Guardian Scholars students' basic needs of housing and food insecurities, we ensure they have the support and services needed to maintain maximum focus to achieve their educational goals.

Student Housing Testimonials . . . allowed me to have someplace to call home while I am attending school and gives me a place to stay over the summer instead of being lost and not having a place to stay. - Rene, Junior

. . . helped me transition back into a full-time student after a leave of absence as well as making on-campus resources easily available. - Jaquelin, Senior

. . . As an undergrad, I am able to concentrate on my research without having to worry about my housing, which is a HUGE part of what sets Guardian Scholars in its own league. With the support of our donors and staff, this program will continue to reach students like myself who just need a chance to create a better future. - Oscar, Senior

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021 FINANCIAL SUPPORT

$960,366

$502,977

Housing Support through HUD program (inclusive of HUD and Private Support)

Scholarship Support (Tuition)

Oscar Sanchez, Class of 2021

Read about Oscar's undergraduate research here

GS Highlights | Messages of Gratitude Academic Year 2020-2021

GS Student Highlights Six graduating seniors earned admission to various graduate programs.

A first-year freshman was selected for the SDSU MARC program, which aims to develop students to transition to Ph.D. or M.D. programs.

A junior was selected for an internship in Orlando, Florida with The Walt Disney Company.

Messages of Gratitude |GS Scholarship Recipients "This is the greatest gift someone could ever give someone else, the gift of education. " - Anita

"Thank you for supporting me, my goals, and my dreams. Your generosity truly makes a difference in my life." - Carlos

"I was able to continue my education and gain a family at the same time." - Claudia

"Staying focused in school becomes easier when I know that there are people behind me that are cheering me on daily." - Genisis

"Without Guardian Scholars, I truly don't know how I would get through school and all of the changes life brings. They are the support that we all need as former foster youth." - Myeisha

"I have a stable place to live during the year, which is instrumental in my success." - Robyn

"Your generosity touches me as a means of trust and belief in my aspirations." - Sunny

99

5

87

21

GS Students in Fall 2020

Graduated in December 2021

GS Students in Spring 2021

Graduated in May/August 2021

Student Ethnicities

Events|Demographics Fall 2020

Although the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges throughout the year to maintain our community, the program was still able to host celebrations during the academic year.

Thanksgiving Celebration (virtual) Students, Staff, SDSU Alumni Student remarks and keynote address by President Adela de la Torre

GS Student Demographics (Fall 2020) Student Ethnicities

First-Generation

Native American/Indigenous: 1

Asian: 4

Multiple Ethnicities: 13

White: 17

Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 2

67%

Decline to State: 1

Black/African American: 24

Hispanic/Latino: 37

Colleges

Student Gender

Sciences

25

PSFA Fowler College of Business Arts and Le ers Health and Human Services Undergraduate Engineering

68

21 16 13 12

31

9 3

Male

Female

Events|Demographics Spring 2021

May | Graduation Celebration First community gathering for GS since February 2020 Held in Goldberg Courtyard of the Prebys Aztec Student Union Four graduate speeches and keynote address from VicePresident Dr. Luke Wood Enjoy highlights of the 2021 Guardian Scholars graduation ceremony here Class of 2021 Guardian Scholars Graduates

GS Student Demographics (Spring 2021) First-Generation

Student Ethnicities Native American/Indigenous: 1

Asian: 4

Multiple Ethnicities: 11 Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 2

68%

White: 16

Decline to State: 1

Black/African American: 21

Hispanic/Latino: 31

Colleges

Student Gender 21

Sciences 18

PSFA Fowler College of Business Arts and Le ers Health and Human Services Undergraduate Engineering

58

15 12 12

29

6 3

Male

Female

Moving Forward | Student Support Programs Fall 2021

SDSU helps students to find their "home away from home" on campus. Our transformative programs, focused on equity and inclusion, allow students to learn from one another and build community so that they can be prepared to change the world.

- Jessica Nare, Associate Vice President Community and Belonging

97

GS Students enrolled

26

GS Students in the 2021-22 Cohort

51

Projected to live on-campus

60K+ 19

Projected to live off-campus

All incoming GS students are required to participate in programs that provide an opportunity to connect and develop meaningful relationships with EOP staff, student leaders, and other incoming EOP students and learn about campus resources.

B.E.S.T. (Building Essential Skills and Talents) Summer Bridge Intensive academic preparation program designed to provide students a successful transition to the university, enhance their educational achievement, and timely progress towards a college degree.

Transfer Bridge Designed to assist new EOP transfer students to adjust to academic and student life at SDSU by offering a scope of workshops, activities, and experiences.

S.O.A.R. (Success, Opportunity, Academics, Relationship) Mentor Program Pairs trained upper-class student mentors with incoming freshmen called protégés. Mentors serve as guides to assist new students through the maze of rules, regulations, expectations, and activities of general college life.

Program Excellence

Eight Pillars of Service

The Eight Pillars of Service illustrates the areas in which we envision GS students' growth and achievement of success during their academic journey at SDSU that prepares them for self-sufficiency after graduation.

- Bryan Spencer, Assistant Director Guardian Scholars Program

Persistence to Graduation - For all GS students to have ample support, challenge, and praise to persist to graduation Housing Stability - Provide on- and off-campus housing assistance opportunities for all Guardian Scholars Identity Development - Explore multiple facets of personal identity to promote self-awareness, personal growth, and career preparation Financial Competence - Provide opportunities to expand working knowledge of financial fundamentals such as, but not limited to, budget management, credit card use, and taking out a student, car, or personal loan Healthy Relationships - Provide education on forming and maintaining healthy relationships and opportunities to develop connections within and beyond our GS program Physical/Emotional Wellness - Offer opportunities to explore, assess, and apply various forms of self-care Life Skills Development - Provide opportunities to learn how to set and achieve goals, resolve conflict, solve problems, and communicate effectively Employment Readiness - Provide opportunities to enhance their academic, personal, and career profile and assist in preparing students for the transition to graduate school or the working world

The likelihood of these life experiences happening for me would be rare without the help of incredibly generous people like you.

Thank you so much for helping me achieve my dreams, and I promise to pay it forward when I can!

- Chris Custer, Class of 2021 Guardian Scholar, Fowler College of Business

Thank YOU for Making Dreams Come True!

Donor Relations University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-8045 Email: DonorRelations@sdsu.edu