Centering Student Voice in the Design & Implementation of Scholarship Programs

When a scholarship program at a community foundation is designed to advance equity in college attainment, it can be a force for community change. When a foundation centers the voices of its students in the design or refresh of the scholarship program, it can go even further, illustrating its belief in, and commitment to, its scholarship recipients and the broader community.

This intriguing session will share the experiences of two community foundations who partnered with the John W. Gardner Center at Stanford University to engage their program participants in youth action research fellowships. One of the foundations built on the findings and recommendations of its six research fellows (scholarship recipients who had completed at least one year of college) to develop new college access and success programming. The other foundation engaged ten student program participants to center youth voice as part of a “strategy refresh” of the scholarship program and college access grant making.

This 90-minute session will share the approach and design of the fellowship in these two contexts, as well as the ways in which it was a richly rewarding experience for students and foundation staff, board, and partners. Session attendees will gain an enhanced understanding of how and why they might center youth voice in the development or redesign of their scholarship and college access/success programming and strategies.

About the Speakers

Colette Hadley
Director of Consulting Services
National College Attainment Network (NCAN)

Hadley helps foundations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and schools to deploy best practices in college access and attainment, strategic scholarship management, data collection, fundraising, strategic planning, and related organizational and board development, by conducting customized assessments and developing recommendations for action. Hadley also brings an executive-level understanding of the issues facing funders and community foundations as they strive to meet educational equity goals.

Prior to joining NCAN, Hadley was the CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (SFSB), where she had a proven track record of strong college access and scholarship program management, fundraising and asset development, strategic planning, public speaking, and outstanding board-staff governance. Under Hadley’s leadership, SFSB increased its net assets by 85% doubling the number of annual college scholarships awarded to more than 3,000.

Hadley studied for her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at the University of California-Irvine and has completed certificate programs in non-profit management, educational grant making, and executive leadership.

Liz Newman
Senior Community Engagement Associate
John W. Gardner Center for Youth & Their Communities

Liz Newman's unique background includes consulting with nonprofits, foundations, school districts, and public agencies in the areas of organizational effectiveness, the strategic use of data, community engagement, communication solutions, and creative documentation.

Much of Liz’s work has been with entities focused on children, youth, and families. She has developed a comprehensive knowledge and expertise across many disciplines and topic areas, including work with postsecondary attainment initiatives and projects with educational equity goals. Projects have assisted organizations to build their capacity, tell their story, engage constituents, and plan strategically. Liz is a creative and skilled presenter and facilitator.

Liz’ professional credentials also include project management in architecture and planning. In addition, she has volunteered in a range of educational settings, working in classrooms and collaborating with teachers, administrators, and parents. Liz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Master’s degree in Architecture from UC Berkeley.

This event is open to all staff and board of FPN member organizations.

For programmatic questions, please contact Geula Ferguson.
For registration issues, please email here.