Guardian Scholars Program Scholar Success Summary
DEMOGRAPHICS 7 Majors 4 Colleges REPRESENTED 62% Female 38% Male Guardian Scholars Ethnicity
ACADEMICS CUMULATIVE GPA ABOVE A 2.0 GPA ABOVE A 2.5 GPA ABOVE A 3.0 GPA ABOVE A 3.5 GPA 14% 43% 29% 14% GPA Comparison: 2.89 Average Cumulative GPA of Ball State Guardian Scholars 2.80 Average Cumulative GPA of Ball State First Time in Any College (FTIAC) Students 3.01 Average Cumulative GPA of Ball State Non -FTIAC Students Since 2012: 6 Total Guardian Scholar Graduates 37% Graduation Rate (vs. 2-4% national average* for foster care alumni) 83% of Guardian Scholars Graduates Employed or Enrolled in Graduate School Persistence Towards Graduation since 2012... 50% of BSU Guardian Scholars graduates received their Baccalaureate degree in 4 years 50% of BSU Guardian Scholars graduates received their degree in 5 years Compared to their peers, it generally takes foster care alumni longer to graduate (6 + years) due to a number of factors including remedial coursework and financial burden (Courtney, Dworsky, Cusick, Havlicek, Perez, & Keller, 2007; Dworksy, 2010). On-Time Completion Rates** for... 37.2% BSU Students 29.5% Indiana Students 25.1% O Bannon Aid Students 15.8% 21st Century Scholars 20.4% Pell Grant Students 30.2% Federal Loan Students * Source: Casey Family Programs. (2010). Supporting success: Improving higher education outcomes for students from foster care. ** Taken from Indiana Commission for Higher Education s 2014 College Completion Report
GUARDIAN SCHOLARS GRADUATES Jamie Childers Graduated in Fall 2014 with a Bachelor s of Science in Biology. Ricardo Licona Garcia Graduated in Spring 2015 with a Bachelor s of Science in Telecommunications. Tabitha Hammel Graduated in Summer 2015 with a Bachelor s of Science in English
GUARDIAN SCHOLARS ACCOMPLISHMENTS In the Community Guardian Scholars participated in a community engagement activity as a group. This new activity allowed students the opportunity to give back to the community, and learn firsthand about making an impact. Students worked hard to break ground on a new sustainable learning garden for the Muncie YWCA s women/family residential programs. Scholar Successes: Tabitha Hammel (summer 2015 graduate) was a scholarship recipient of Women in Business Unlimited s Catalyst series of events. She participated in three days of professional etiquette, development, and networking. Nikki Nord (current scholar) received the Karl T. Harford Good Samaritan Scholarship. This scholarship awards a Ball State junior or senior with a $5000 for demonstrated acts of kindness. Savannah Lundgren (current scholar) traveled to Costa Rica to complete a field study in Zoology. She was also awarded a study abroad scholarship from the Rinker Center at Ball State. Fernando Garcia (current scholar) and Ricardo Licona Garcia (spring 2015 graduate) opened Puerta al Paraiso, a Latin American restaurant in the Village Promenade. Savannah Lundgren (current scholar) participated in Pink Leaf: A Learning Company s Summer Sensations program. The student earned a ServSafe certificate after a week of interactive culinary arts education. Pink Leaf is owned and operated by a Guardian Scholars program alumnus, Kimberly Howe-Ferguson (spring 2007 graduate). Jamie Childers (fall 2014 graduate) was admitted into Ball State University s Graduate School. He will be working towards a Master s in Biology beginning Fall of 2015.
GUARDIAN SCHOLARS EVENTS KEY EVENTS In August 2014, the Guardian Scholars program hosted the annual Fall Kickoff event to celebrate the beginning of a successful academic year. In October 2014, The Guardian Scholars program hosted a seminar on Holistic Health. Students interacted and learned about the seven dimensions of well-being. Julie Struek-Seib from the Office of Health, Alcohol, and Drug Education presented. In November 2014, the Guardian Scholars program hosted a seminar titled Go for the Goal. Dr. Ellen Lucas from Counseling and Health Services presented, and helped students set academic and personal goals. Events/Seminars In December 2014, Guardian Scholars hosted a successful annual Winter Break event. The students each received approximately $267 in donations from the campus and community through the winter break box donation drive. In February 2015, Guardian Scholars hosted a Financial Aid seminar for underclassmen students. Information was presented by Maralee Clayton, a Guardian Scholars stakeholder, from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. In March 2015, Guardian Scholars hosted a seminar on Maintaining Your Personal Budget. Sustainability Advisory Board member, Daniel Stallings, and the Vice President of Operations for Ball State Federal Credit Union, Tim Pierce presented. In April 2015, Guardian Scholars celebrated the end of a wonderful academic year at the End of the Year Celebration with program staff, students, alumni, and friends.