Case manager supports success of independent, former foster care students

Penn State Abington students who encounter challenges to achieving success have a full-time advocate in case manager Mary Ellen Glick, who helps students address life circumstances that create barriers on the path to earning their degrees.

"Getting into college doesn’t mean getting through college,” she said.

Glick works with any Abington student, but she specifically coordinates the campus's targeted, holistic support for those who have spent time in foster care as part of the University-wide Fostering Lions program, or those who are classified as independent. Her assistance includes ongoing coaching, connecting students to services, developing skills for post-college success, and even care packages during finals week.

“I see a lot of students who are working, struggling with transportation, studying. I can be a thought partner with them to strategize a big-picture plan and make sure they are accessing financial resources from the University or the government and balancing that against academic program needs,” she said.

Glick said former foster youth and independent students are often hidden populations. They are identified through a variety of means including surveys at new student orientation and assorted points of contact throughout campus.

"We don’t want students to miss out on eligibility for assistance because of lack of awareness. We want to make sure they know there are benefits out there based on their individual circumstances and coach them through the steps to receive grants and benefits,” she said.

Glick hosts a monthly complimentary dinner with this cohort, sometimes arranging for a speaker, but also to help them develop relationships with each other.

“I am a resource for them, but they can also be a resource for each other,” she said.

“I can be a thought partner with students to strategize a big picture plan and make sure they are accessing financial resources ... and balancing that against academic program needs.” Mary Ellen Glick, Case Manager

Glick leverages her child welfare experience through Student Care and Advocacy within the campus Student Affairs unit, assisting students in an assortment of circumstances by providing the tools and supports to make difficult situations more manageable.

She co-chairs the Abington Care Team, which provides the campus community with a mechanism to assist students with academic or nonemergency health and safety issues. Once the team receives a referral, representatives from across campus including Athletics, Global Programs, Academic Affairs, and Residence Life review their case.

“The students could benefit from multiple touchpoints, so we circle the wagons. We break down the silos so we can provide comprehensive support. It could be a medical issue, a death in the family, food insecurity, or emergency housing,” she said.

Glick serves as the Title IX campus resource person, the point of contact for initial intakes and guiding complainants through supports and processes available through the University. Glick is a member of the Student Emergency Assistance Fund committee together with staff from financial aid and the bursar’s office.

Glick was recently tapped to share her expertise in child welfare, refugee resettlement, and student affairs at the Refugee Education Summit and Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference.

“We are boots on the ground to support these students so we shared strategies for student engagement, retention, and success,” she said.

Case manager supports success of independent, former foster care students

Current Features

'Accidental entrepreneur' developed her skills as an Integrative Arts major

Mentoring program for first year teachers eases transition into the classroom

Faculty write textbook to guide human services majors through internships