Episode 04: Foster youth education and empowerment

Dr. Kizzy Lopez has worked in higher education for 13 years in academic and student affairs as a champion for educational equity for underserved students, particularly those who have experienced foster care or homelessness. Dr. Lopez currently serves as an Assistant Professor in Social Work at Fresno Pacific University. Dr. Lopez is passionate about advocating for foster and homeless youth because of her personal experience. She is a former foster youth and was homeless while attending a community college. She knows first-hand the barriers these youth experience and has committed her career to improving systems for disadvantaged youth.

 As a practitioner, Dr. Lopez led the effort to create a campus-based program for foster and homeless youth at Fresno State known as the Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP). This program was designed to increase college access and graduation rates for foster and homeless youth attending the university. Dr. Lopez was the founding coordinator and served in this role for 10 years. During that time, she served over 200 students, developed innovative services and practices that increased student retention and graduation rates. She also represented the CSU system in advocating for statewide policy change for foster youth and homeless youth