Webinars
Check out our dynamic webinar series dedicated to expanding college access, persistence, and success for students with experience in foster care (SEFC) and other independent statuses. Each session brings together researchers, practitioners, and lived experts to share real-world strategies, practical tools, and powerful insights. Together, we explore what it takes to build more equitable, responsive higher education systems that truly support SEFC and independent status.
We will post materials from our most recent webinars here so you can revisit key takeaways and resources.
You can also explore the full webinar series on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nrc-fahe5654/videos
September 2026 Webinar:
Needs of Foster Youth & Educational Success, Exploring Educational Journeys of Youth with Foster Care Experience
The first presenter is Dr. Geraldine Atkins (Associate Professor and Director of Field Education, Delaware State University Dept of Social Work) who presents her research on the basic needs of foster youth and their educational success. The second presenter, Dr. William Woelki (University of Delaware Department of Human Development and Family Sciences) presents ““It’s Just Me”: Exploring the Educational Journeys of Youth with Foster Care Experience.” This dissertation examines the educational journeys of youth with foster care experience in postsecondary education. The presentation will highlight practice- and policy-relevant recommendations for reducing systemic barriers and strengthening institutional support, while demonstrating the value of participatory approaches that center lived experience throughout the research process.
Our colleagues at the International Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood from Care (INTRAC) have shared a recording of a recent Higher Education Topical Interest Group webinar featuring research on the transition from care to higher education across several international contexts.
The webinar includes brief presentations from Amanda Keller in Canada, Kayo Nishimoto in Japan, and Amy Dworsky in the United States. Mary Collins also facilitated a discussion about a potential research collaboration opportunity.
INTRAC Webinar:
International Perspectives on Care Experience and Higher Education
Our colleagues at the International Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood from Care (INTRAC) have shared with us a recording of a recent webinar on foster care and higher education work in the UK!
Our presenters are Dr. Maggie Inchley, Director of Graduate Studies in the Drama Department at Queen Mary University of London, and Dr. Sylvan Baker, Senior Lecturer in Community Performance Applied Theatre at the University of London Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. The Verbatim Formula, based at Queen Mary University of London and the Central School of Speech and Drama, works creatively with care-experienced young people as co-investigators in practice-led research.
INTRAC Webinar:
The Verbatim Formula Presentation
The presenter is Kara Graham, Graduate Research Associate in the College Impact Laboratory at The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. Candidate in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Her presentation draws on comparisons with the Supplemental Poverty Measure, this work provides an assessment of institutional off‑campus living allowances at public two- and four-year institutions to evaluate their adequacy and equity.
Budgeting Blind Spots:
Examining Off-Campus Living Allowances
and Poverty
May 2026 Webinar:
Interested in presenting in a future webinar?
Please email Amy Salazar at amy.salazar@wsu.edu with a brief description of your proposed topic to get scheduled!