Sullivan-Deckard Foster Program Lauded
Cleveland State was one of just nine colleges and universities nationwide honored by University Business magazine with a 2016 Models of Excellence award, which recognizes innovative approaches to encouraging and nurturing student success.
CSU was saluted for its Sullivan-Deckard Scholars Opportunity Program, which provides financial support, mentoring, and Engaged Learning experiences specifically targeted for students aging out of foster care to assist them in succeeding at the university level.
At age 18, foster youth emancipate or “age out” of the system and must fend for themselves. National studies have estimated that fewer than half of foster youth apply to college and less than 10 percent of those graduate.
Anthony Diaz, 18, is a Sullivan-Deckard Scholar. A freshman majoring in nursing, he hopes for a career as a psychiatric nurse working with troubled teens in a hospital setting.
“I have been in and out of foster care since I was around 10 years old and I have lived with more than eight families,” he says. “The Sullivan-Deckard program is providing me with a sense of ‘Yes, I can do it!’ and opportunities for work experience and informational interviews, workshops on presenting myself and outreach to nursing professionals and mentors.”
Charleyse Pratt, assistant vice president for inclusion and multicultural engagement at CSU, notes that “foster children are one of the more at-risk populations in society and one of the least likely groups to earn a college degree. This initiative is one of the first of its kind to provide a holistic system of support for foster children — financial, educational and cultural — to assist them in transitioning out of the system and into an institution of higher learning with the ultimate goal of completing their degree.”
The Sullivan-Deckard program identifies students while still in high school and provides support through the college application process. Once admitted and enrolled, students receive free, year-round housing and money for tuition and books, work-study employment and academic support, including tutoring, coaching, advising, mentoring and peer support.
The program was created in 2015 through a $2.3 million combined gift from Frank and Barbara Sullivan and Jenniffer and Daryl Deckard. The program welcomed its second cohort of eight students this fall, who joined seven other Sullivan-Deckard Scholars who are in their second year at CSU.
Shajuana Gaston is a 17-year-old freshman, majoring in social work. After earning her degree, she hopes to open a group home/resource center for children in foster care. “The Sullivan-Deckard program is helping me achieve my dreams. I have matured as a person, become a better student and strive for greatness in everything I do, thanks to the support and resources provided by the program.”
MaryAnn Dowdell, a member of the first Sullivan-Deckard cohort, is a 20-year-old sophomore. She is majoring in English on a creative writing track and aspires to teach literature and writing to inner-city high school students. “Sullivan-Deckard staff guide me through academic challenges such as study habits, time management and tutoring, and also offer opportunities to network within my field. By the time I graduate, I anticipate being ready for graduate school through the mentoring of this scholarship program.”
Also in This Issue...
A Reason to Celebrate
For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.
Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing
The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.
Making it Happen
CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.
A Message from the President
President Ronald M. Berkman highlights CSU’s record freshman class, fundraising success, improved retention, U.S. News recognition, and his advocacy for increased state support for higher education.
CSU Among Best in the Nation
Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC
CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.
CSU’s man in Rio
Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.
Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State
From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.
O Hail the Green and White
Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.
On the road again
Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition
In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.
The Recipe for Student Success
First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.
Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU
The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.
73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty
This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.
Deans bring expertise to colleges
CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.
Corporate chapters engage alumni
The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.
Stay Engaged!
Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.
The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honors 10 graduates
With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.
Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers
CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.
Class Notes – Fall 2016
A Reason to Celebrate
For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.
Making it Happen
CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.
CSU Among Best in the Nation
Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
CSU’s man in Rio
Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.
O Hail the Green and White
Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.
Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition
In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.
Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU
The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.
Deans bring expertise to colleges
CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.
Stay Engaged!
Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.
Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers
CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.
Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing
The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.
A Message from the President
President Ronald M. Berkman highlights CSU’s record freshman class, fundraising success, improved retention, U.S. News recognition, and his advocacy for increased state support for higher education.
CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC
CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.
Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State
From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.
On the road again
Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
The Recipe for Student Success
First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.
73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty
This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.
Corporate chapters engage alumni
The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.
The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honors 10 graduates
With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.
Class Notes – Fall 2016
A Reason to Celebrate
For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.
A Message from the President
President Ronald M. Berkman highlights CSU’s record freshman class, fundraising success, improved retention, U.S. News recognition, and his advocacy for increased state support for higher education.
CSU’s man in Rio
Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.
On the road again
Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks, hosting fun-filled family outings, touring the world, connecting with grads across the country — the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU
The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.
Corporate chapters engage alumni
The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.
Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers
CSU researchers secured a $1 million NSF grant to develop tools supporting veterans and their caregivers — enhancing resources, care strategies, and transitions from service to civilian life.
Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing
The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.
CSU Among Best in the Nation
Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State
From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing — Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry.
Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition
In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible.
73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty
This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions. The group includes 47 tenure/tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State.
Stay Engaged!
Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online. Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.
Class Notes – Fall 2016
Making it Happen
CSU alumni played vital roles in the 2016 RNC — from city leadership to safety, free speech, and visitor experience — showcasing Cleveland’s growth, unity, and success.
CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC
CSU hosted RNC events — from online classes to TEDx — boosting national media coverage and spotlighting Cleveland’s resurgence.
O Hail the Green and White
Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU.
The Recipe for Student Success
First-gen and transfer learners thrive at CSU through TRIO, coaching, tutoring, and service pathways, proving engaged support leads to success.
Deans bring expertise to colleges
CSU welcomed three expert deans: Dr. Roland Anglin in Urban Affairs, Dr. Timothy Gaspar in Nursing, and former Ohio AG Lee Fisher at Cleveland–Marshall Law — each bringing deep experience to elevate their respective colleges.
The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards honors 10 graduates
With the basketball court at Wolstein Center transformed into a sparkling ballroom, nearly 500 alumni and friends gathered to pay tribute to this year’s class of Distinguished Alumni.