Texas foster care students seeking advancement through higher education will receive financial assistance, academic support, mentoring, and more through the Diamond Family Scholars program at the University of Houston, created by Houston philanthropists, Andy (J.D. ’73) and Andrea (J.D. ’76) Diamond. The program seeks to reduce barriers for students with limited resources and will focus on improving their retention and graduation rates. “We want to create hope for those aging out of foster care,” Andy Diamond said. “Their circumstances are beyond their control. Now, however, those who want to help themselves will have an opportunity to do so. Success is defined not by a gift, but rather by hard work and determination.”

The Diamond Family Scholars program extends beyond scholarships and stipends to build a learning community for the students focused on advising, mentoring and shared living space in one of the University’s residence halls. It will cover room and board, as well as books and other supplies, but the heart of the program lies in a series of other services, ranging from recruiting in area high schools to enhanced advising and connections with peer, faculty and staff mentors. Andrea Diamond said she and her husband ask only that Diamond Family Scholars pay it forward in the future, “Sometime down the road, give another person in need hope and opportunity.”