Embark on Education at CSU
Support for Youth in Higher Education
One of the efforts led by the Embark program is to support foster, homeless, and disconnected youth in higher education.
Embark Georgia Statewide Network
Embark Georgia's vision is that youth who have experienced foster care or homelessness have ample academic, financial, social, and emotional supports to access and complete a post-secondary education.
Mission: The Embark Georgia statewide network serves post-secondary professionals and institutions to ensure connectivity, share best practices, and provide information exchange among youth, community based stakeholders, and K-12 education.
The Fanning Institute at UGA offers useful information to help foster, homeless and disconnected youth gain access to college. This collection of tools will help professional in higher education, child welfare, and other organizations support this vital youth population.
Faculty & Staff Resources
Learn more about disconnected youth in higher education. Contact Melissa Young to schedule a training (contact information below).
Concerned about a student? Do you have a student who is in or has left foster care, is temporarily or permanently homeless, is in need of academic, financial, or socio-emotional assistance? Please refer the student to Melissa Young.
Student Resources
Food pantry and clothing are available through the Center for Servant Leadership Food Pantry.
If you are a homeless, transient or fostered student attending CSU or interested in attending CSU please contact Melissa Young (see below).
If you are interested in donating to the Embark fund to assist students who are in
transition or homeless, please visit CSU's Online Giving Website.
Please make sure to check the box to support an unlisted program, and designate your
gift to Embark by typing "Embark, Fund #0901."

Dr. Melissa Young
Position: Director of Advising
Office: Schwob Library 236
Phone: 706-565-1316
Email: young_melissa@columbusstate.edu