The Lead.
One local family is working to help local youth who experienced the foster care system make it to college. The Scott family is funding the new Rising Pathways Scholarship at Marion Technical College for youth who have been in foster care.
Barb and Rick Scott and their large family started this scholarship with matching funds from the Marion Technical College Foundation.
“I have seen all the good things accomplished by people through hard times with support systems in place,” Barb said. “Money should never be what stops a person from graduating. If we can do it for one person, it will make a difference.”
Marion Tech Alumni Give Back to Students
Barb and Rick Scott are both Marion Tech alumni. Barb said Marion Tech was life-changing for her. One of her faculty members, Pat Fox, became her lifelong mentor and friend who encouraged her to take a job at the local phone company (then GTE). Barb built a successful career there. As her company advanced, she continued to get support from Marion Tech.
“After she helped me get my associate’s degree, she walked me through getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Franklin University,” Barb said. “I’m so grateful.”
Barb is in the Alumni Hall of Fame. She returned to the college as a business and artificial intelligence faculty member, where she sees students in need and the college’s services to meet those needs.
“I see the Connections Center offering a food pantry and hygiene items. I see all of the support for students who are struggling outside the classroom. That’s why I love working here,” Barb said.
A Family Built on Giving Back to the Community
The Scotts have built their family and their lives on giving. Rick worked at the Marion Tech Help Desk. While initially envisioning a different career path, Rick worked at a homeless shelter in Columbus for 15 years. The whole family got involved in helping there by making meals and taking cookies.
“Seeing how one individual can reach out and help just one other person and change their whole future—that is a passion for our family,” Barb said.
Barb’s sister, Linda McKinness, is also a Marion Tech alumna. She has helped thousands of patients in her career as a nurse.
The Scotts’ son, James Scott, works as the lead public education specialist for the Ion Center for Violence Prevention in Covington, Kentucky.
Their daughter, Elizabeth Moore, is a social worker and the training and quality assurance supervisor at Marion County Children’s Services. She supports staff members who serve children and families.
She and her husband, Ben, have also fostered and adopted children. The couple leads the Royal Family Kids nonprofit, which gives children a safe camp experience where they are treated like royalty.
“It can be extremely meaningful for children who have been treated poorly,” Moore said.
Supporting Former Foster Youth in Higher Education
The new scholarship provides another way to help youth who have experienced foster care, including survivors of childhood abuse and neglect.
“Involvement with Children’s Services is often generational. How do you break those generational curses? By helping youth and their families forge a new path,” Moore said.
A 2023 study found that high school graduation rates for youth in foster care are much lower than high school students overall.
“It’s abnormal for kids leaving foster care to graduate with a high school diploma, much less go on to higher education. We know many young people who beat the odds and are part of the 8–12% of former foster youth who graduate from college, and are so proud of them.”
The family’s new scholarship will help more students make it to graduation.
College Leaders Say Scholarships Break Down Barriers
“This is a great way to break down barriers and help more students. This will continue to grow. We’re very excited to see this fund support students,” said Amy Adams, executive vice president at Marion Tech.
“Scholarships make a huge difference. Cost is the number one barrier for students. This really helps change lives,” said Mike Stuckey, director of the Marion Tech Foundation.
The Scotts hope the fund will continue to grow with more donations.
“We don’t need another knickknack. If you are thinking, ‘What should I get Mom or Dad for Christmas?’ Donate to this fund,” Barb said.
“When you see hard situations on the news about children who have been found in horrible conditions, and you feel helpless, this is a way to help one child get a hand up,” McKinness said.
Ohio Reach Program Supports Students with Foster Care Experience
In addition to the new Rising Pathways scholarship, Marion Tech has been certified for the Ohio Reach program through the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Marion Tech has a special liaison who can support students with foster care or kinship experience. The liaison can help them apply for scholarships and an emergency fund for one-time urgent needs.
“Our goal as a college is to meet every student where they are and help them succeed,” said Ryan McCall, president of Marion Tech. “We are thrilled with the new Ohio Reach designation and this wonderful new scholarship. This will change lives for those who experienced a tough start in life.”
For more information or to make a donation, go to MTC Foundation.
