Launched in 2002, Cal Poly Pomona's Renaissance Scholars is a comprehensive support service program located in the Division of Student Affairs that empowers students with foster care lived experiences through higher education. The programs innovative and holistic model draws from Cal Poly Pomona's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the Casey Family Programs' It's My Life Framework for Transitioning Foster Youth to provide critical services to support the scholars personal and academic success.
The program provides academic advising/coaching, priority registration, access to year-round housing, financial assistance (scholarships and emergency funding), peer mentoring, academic tutoring, class level success seminars, life skills workshops, educational enrichment events and community building activities for scholars and alumni.
Renaissance Scholars has grown from serving 10 students to serving approximately 60 students annually. To date, RS has graduated 113 scholars who have redefined who they are, broken the cycle of abuse or poverty, and have transformed their future. Of those, 37 alumni have gone on to pursue post-baccalaureate degrees in teaching, social work, public administration, business, law, and four who have pursued a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, Dentistry, Law (JD) and Educational Leadership.
Join us in supporting RS Scholarships and community engagement for scholars and alumni.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY:
“I feel like I belong here and can succeed in college. I’ve also learned that I am not alone, and I have gained a stronger sense of self confidence and motivation.”
- 1st Year Renaissance Scholar
"Renaissance Scholars gave me the support I needed when things were hard going through my transition from community college to university. It also helped me understand how important it is to build a support system at school, and I used those skills to transfer into building relationships outside of the program.”
- Transfer Renaissance Scholar
“Renaissance Scholars allowed me to see that I am more than the unfortunate circumstances I was born into, more than my trauma and mental illness. Through my years of being a Renaissance Scholar, I have learned I am worthy of love, a high-quality education, and high-quality care.”
- Renaissance Scholar Alumni
"The guidance provided by Renaissance Scholars is essential to the survival of emancipated foster youth attending college. I believe that a program like this is important because it gives us the support and extra encouragement that we sometimes lack.”
- 3rd Year Renaissance Scholar
Renaissance Scholars - Changes Lives!
