UC Santa Cruz Smith Renaissance Society

Assisting Foster Youth to Achieve Their College Dreams

The Smith Renaissance Society (a merger of the Smith Scholastic Society and Renaissance Scholars) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) serves the college dreams of independent students: current or former foster youth, runaways, juvenile offenders, orphans, or homeless youth.

  • Renaissance Scholars offers college-eligible high school and community college students chances to sample college life and get individual guidance throughout the admission process.
  • Smith Collegiate Fellows are UCSC students who belong to a community of caring friends and mentors committed to their personal and academic success.
  • On graduation, Collegiate Fellows continue to belong to a friendly network to provide contacts and encouragement as they head to graduate school or careers. Some choose to become Senior Fellows who do the work of the Society.
Led by a Board of UCSC alumni, including Smith Renaissance graduates, current and retired faculty and staff, Smith Renaissance Society offers financial aid, mentoring, help navigating the university's academic and administrative systems, priority enrollment in classes, academic and emotional support, priority year-round housing, social activities, and a chance to reach out to youth in the foster care system and local homeless shelters.

Based in Services for Transfer and Re-entry Students (STARS) in the Academic Resource Center, the Smith Renaissance Society created California's first university-based comprehensive path to college admission for foster youth and other independent students. Most Collegiate Fellows graduate. Many go on to excel in professional careers and graduate programs at prestigious universities.

Our Transfer Partnerships Program supports Renaissance Scholars currently enrolled at one of the 13 regional community colleges.

We offer Community College Renaissance Scholars:

  • A designated community college counselor
  • A UC transfer advisor
  • UC/CSU applications workshops
  • Financial aid and scholarship advising
  • Statewide university campus visits
  • Year-round transfer-related activities

Visit the UC Santa Cruz Smith Renaissance Society Web site.

For more information, contact:

Corrine Miller

The Smith Renaissance Society

(831) 459-4968
smithsociety@ucsc.edu


 

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