“Johnson provides recommendations for what should be better and how it can be accomplished…. The book is very accessible for a general audience. Johnson shares his positionality and reactions to the interviews in a humanizing way that makes the stories come alive.”
—The Review of Higher Education
“Systems matter. Stories matter too, and Johnson has made an indelible contribution to our understanding of youth in foster care.”
—From the Foreword by Tyrone C. Howard, professor, UCLA
“Books that both inform and engage the heart and mind are rare. This is one. From Foster Care to College is a compelling and insightful exploration of the ways that students transition from foster care to higher education. This book masterfully highlights the systemic challenges they face while celebrating their resilience and strength. Rich with hope and possibility, From Foster Care to College is a must-read for educators, policymakers, and advocates. It is an inspiring testament to the power of determination and the importance of supportive systems.”
—Christopher Emdin, Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
“This absorbing, erudite, and engaging book blends personal stories about youth who survive foster care and pursue a college education with research findings and powerful conceptual ideas. Johnson avoids pathologizing the victims of the foster care system and applauds their agency, resilience, and aspirations. This timely, informative, and compelling book is a must read for educational policymakers and practitioners who want to facilitate the journey of youth in foster care to colleges and universities.”
—Geneva Gay, professor of education emeritus, University of Washington, Seattle
“Achieving the dream of a college education is not easy and—as this powerful, compelling, and important work illustrates—the financial, academic, and other barriers are especially great for students impacted by foster care. Grounded in the voices and lived experiences of individual students, this is a must-read for educators, school and college administrators, federal and state policymakers, and others who seek to provide inclusive, equitable, and accessible supports and environments that enable all students to thrive and realize their potential.”
—Laura W. Perna, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education, University of Pennsylvania
“Dr. Royel Johnson skillfully combines the personal stories of 49 students who grew up in foster care with historical context, policy insights, and research-based facts. This book offers a compelling look at the challenges these individuals face and provides valuable insights for anyone involved in child welfare or educational reform. It's a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding and practical strategies for creating transformational change.”
—Yvonne A. Unrau, professor emeritus, Western Michigan University
"From Foster Care to College is an extraordinary presentation of new, person-centered research that captures the gripping and intimate stories of 49 students with foster care experience as they navigate, struggle, adapt, and succeed in college. A gifted storyteller and researcher, Dr. Johnson goes beyond simply telling their stories to using a strengths-based and resilience-focused framework to better understand the nuances of belonging, choice, community, and support necessary for students with foster care backgrounds to succeed. Using rich data and weaving in the multiple layers of families, communities, and systems, Dr. Johnson offers important recommendations for change and issues a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and citizens to create healthy, safe, and inclusive spaces for all students."
—Jennifer M. Geiger, associate professor, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago
“This is a short book that speaks volumes. Dr. Johnson provides a clear and powerful glimpse into the lives of students in foster care, bearing witness to the structural barriers they face and the inner strength and relationships they draw on to ‘turn obstacles into possibility.’ This is a must-read for anyone looking to promote equitable outcomes for students in foster care.”
—Nathanael Okpych, associate professor, UConn School of Social Work
“From Foster Care to College is not just a groundbreaking scholarly enterprise; it is a beacon of enlightenment and a testament to the power of knowledge in combating inequality and cultivating inclusivity in colleges and universities. Johnson masterfully pens an interdisciplinary framework focused on resilience that is personal, painful, joyful, and, above all, emancipatory. This book is essential reading that will inspire long-lasting and transformative institutional change in America’s educational system—a true clarion call for the human spirit to reach higher.”
—Gilberto Q. Conchas, Wayne K. & Anita Woolfolk Hoy Endowed Chair of Education, The Pennsylvania State University
