Loyola Marymount University and the West LA College Pathways Network recently received $40,000 from the Angell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation to hire a Network Coordinator, which will provide support to the Guardian Scholars Program.
Deyadra Blye was hired in January as the network coordinator, and is based at LMU. Blye, in the brand new role, will implement activities, goals and initiatives to increase foster youth awareness of the West LA Network, which is made up of LMU, Santa Monica College and UCLA. She will also attend college fairs and community events, as well coordinate outreach efforts including campus tours to increase awareness of community partners and organizations in the Los Angeles area.
“The funding is important because it will increase the exposure of LMU and its Guardian Scholars Program to Los Angeles foster youth,” said Jennifer Ellspermann, coordinator for the Guardian Scholars Program. “By informing foster youth that LMU has a support program for them, it will encourage them to consider applying to a private university as a higher education option for them.”
In total, the Angell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation has donated $415,000 for the development of the West LA College Pathways Network, which was created in 2012.
Pictured above are some of LMU’s Guardian Scholars.