Concordia University Irvine President Michael Thomas signed a scholarship agreement last year with the Fostering the Future initiative of First Lady Melania Trump. As a result, a gift was made by Mrs. Trump’s initiative to Concordia to provide scholarship assistance to former foster youth, especially those interested in careers in computer science or technology-related fields.
“When President Thomas was made aware of the possibility of partnering with the First Lady’s initiative, Concordia acted quickly,” says Mike Bergler, executive director of advancement operations and donor stewardship. “Former foster youth are statistically less likely to attend college, let alone a private, Christian university. Concordia’s partnership with the First Lady’s Office helps break down those barriers for these students.”
The first scholarships were awarded in Fall 2025 and six Concordia students have been designated recipients. Alysa Garcia, a sophomore from Norco, spent time in the foster care system with her two siblings after being removed from the shed where they were living when Alysa was nine. A parent had fallen victim to drug addiction, but the Garcia children were taken in by an uncle and aunt who became their legal guardians.
“I came to Concordia because I had a strong belief in God and wanted that to be my surrounding,” Garcia says. “It has really great programs. It’s an amazing place to be.” To afford her college education, Garcia worked numerous jobs and presently holds two jobs. She says she received an email about the First Lady’s scholarship and wondered if it could be real.
“When I saw it I was like, there’s no way,” she recalls. “I’d read about people getting help from outstanding people like that. Now that it’s happening to me I’ll take as much advantage of this as I can. I’m not going to throw away my shot.”
Her adopted mom was happy as well. Garcia, who is majoring in psychology and minoring in art, wants to be a child therapist to help kids express how they feel through drawing and coloring.
“I really want to do something with my life and make an impact helping kids like me,” she says. “This scholarship does help a lot. I’m thankful for every scholarship I get. It’s amazing to know there are so many things out there that can put me toward my goal and my future.”
Fostering the Future, a Be Best initiative, secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in the foster care community. Scholarship recipients learn in a supportive environment, gaining knowledge critical to realizing job security [so that] these individuals will be prepared to enter the workforce and ultimately reach financial independence.
Many children in the foster care community lack the support and stability to finish their education and gain meaningful employment. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, only 50 percent of foster children finish high school, and only three percent of former foster children obtain a college degree. Twenty percent of the children in foster care will become homeless after aging out of the system, and only half will have gainful employment by the age of 24.
“We value every student, but there is something special, something courageously loving, about being able to help young people coming out of the foster care system,” says Bergler.