Employee News
Foster Parent at Helm of Fostering Bright Futures
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 20, 2024) – Ross Sinodis hopes his experience as a foster parent will help him be a natural leader for Wake Tech's Fostering Bright Futures program.
Sinodis is the new coordinator of the student success program that assists individuals making the transition from foster care to independent young adulthood.
Sinodis and his wife, Amanda, Wake Tech's associate department head of English, fostered and later adopted their daughter, DJ. She is now a thriving sophomore at Appalachian State University studying social work.
"Seeing her experience with school and the foster system made me want to work with our Fostering Bright Futures students to help them succeed academically," Ross Sinodis said.
Sinodis is not new to Wake Tech. As a student, he earned his Associate in Arts degree in 2007 before transferring to North Carolina State University to study history. He later joined Wake Tech's Financial Aid Office, helping students with the financial aid process and completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Fostering Bright Futures provides a pathway to higher education for foster youth aging out of the system or youth that have been a part of the foster system. The program provides mentoring and support for students as they pursue a degree and helps them develop life skills and financial independence. National statistics show that less than 6% of children who grow up in foster care go on to earn a college degree.
The program is supported by the Wake Tech Foundation as well as numerous community partners. Each year, the program accepts up to 20 students. Their tuition and fees are covered, and each receives a stipend to help them pay living and personal expenses.
Sinodis says he looks forward to making a positive impact on a special group and helping them achieve their dreams.
"I'm so excited about working with all our wonderful students face to face," Sinodis said. "This program is so important because students need a support system, and many of those in our program don't have one other than us. It really helps students feel like they belong to a community."
