To increase the rate of foster youth
matriculation into and graduation from
California State University San Marcos
ACE Scholars Services is a comprehensive program that supports former foster youth in their efforts to obtain a college education. The primary objective of the program is to meet the unique needs of student who are former foster youth and to improve their rates of matriculation, graduation, and career success.
The ACE Scholars Services program supports ambitious former foster youth exiting the system or transferring from a community college. ACE provides the much needed guidance and financial assistance to ensure the students success at Cal State University San Marcos.
ACE Scholars benefit from:
- Personal help with college entrance forms such as admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications
- Academic, career, and personal counseling
- Faculty Mentoring
- Priority registration
- Year-round on campus housing (with a kitchen)
- Career development and internship opportunities
- Emergency financial assistance
- Social activities
- Personal development training
- Career assistance after graduation
The ACE program is not an extension of the state foster care system. ACE is designed to help the students when they need it the most which assures their academic success but also helps them make the transition from being cared for to caring for oneself.
ACE Scholar Services has an Advisory Council that has contributed to the development of outreach and retention activities for foster youth, and has offered other creative ideas for future fundraising. The council meets once per semester. This partnership between private and public agencies is designed to achieve synergy that will allow us to further support our students effectively.
Staff
Jim Mickelson, Director
jsm@csusm.edu
760-750-4869
Jan-Michael Silbaugh, Counselor
jsilbaug@csusm.edu
760-750-4846
Henry Pennerman, Intern
Penne009@csusm.edu
760-750-4862
Council Members:
Hope Baca, Owner, Now There is Hope, Escondido, CA
Cecelia Blanks, EOP Director, CSUSM
Nathan Evens, Director of Enrollment Management Services CSUSM
John Halcon, Professor, College of Education, CSUSM
Michelle Lustig, Foster Youth Services Coordinator, San Diego County Office of Education
Carol Markstein, Markstein Beverages and board member of San Pasqual Academy
Karen Nicholson, Director of Student Health & Counseling Services, CSUSM
Judy Papenhausen, Director, School of Nursing, CSUSM
Henry Pennerman, ACE Scholar, CSUSM
Dilcie Perez, Director of Student Life & Leadership, CSUSM
Cecilia Schouwe, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, CSUSM
Debbie Syverson, Crown Consulting & San Pascual Academy Representative
Susie Terry, Project Supervisor, Foster Youth Services, San Diego County Office of Education
