The hushed halls of academia often belie the hidden struggles faced by a significant portion of the student population – those navigating higher education without the stability of a secure home. For Lisa Jackson, an Assistant Teaching Professor at Florida State University’s College of Social Work, these are not just statistics; they are bright, determined young people deserving of every opportunity to thrive.
Lisa’s commitment to these students, particularly through her long-standing involvement with the nationally recognized Unconquered Scholars Program at FSU and her dedicated service on the board of the NAEHCY, paints a powerful portrait of advocacy in action.
In this Q&A, we explore Lisa’s journey into this vital work that is not merely a professional endeavor; it’s a deeply personal commitment rooted in a profound understanding of the systemic barriers that confront young people experiencing homelessness as they strive for a college education.
How did you first learn about NAEHCY?
I first learned about NAEHCY through a colleague at Florida State University who knew of my work with the Unconquered Scholars Program. They recognized a clear connection between the Unconquered Scholars Program mission and the values NAEHCY upholds. After exploring NAEHCY’s work, I was immediately drawn in and decided to attend/present at their national conference. That experience was transformative—meeting with passionate professionals, youth advocates, and PSE committee members gave me a new lens into the broader systemic challenges and opportunities surrounding youth experiencing homelessness.
What made you want to get involved?
The alignment between NAEHCY’s mission and my own values was striking. Working with students at FSU who have experienced homelessness, foster care, relative care and ward of the state status, in addition to other forms of adversity, I see firsthand the gaps in access and support at all educational levels. NAEHCY not only advocates for these students but actively builds pathways for their success through collaboration across numerous sectors. I knew I had both a professional responsibility and a personal calling to contribute more tangibly to NAEHCY.
Why is this work important to you?
This work is about equity, dignity, and visibility. Too often, children and youth experiencing homelessness are overlooked in policy and campus discussions. Their resilience is extraordinary—but resilience should not be the primary means for gaining access to and persisting in postsecondary settings. This is deeply personal for me because I’ve witnessed the transformation that happens when students with homelessness experience are valued, supported using a strengths based approach, and provided with the resources necessary to achieve and maintain overall wellness while pursuing a college education. This work is not just about housing—it’s about hope, opportunity, and systemic change for the betterment of our students and communities.
What was your “aha” or “wake up” moment regarding children and youth experiencing homelessness?
My “aha” moment came when I realized that some FSU students—bright, hopeful, determined young people—had nowhere to go when the dorms closed. It wasn’t just an isolated case; it was a pattern. Thankfully, that is far less likely to occur on our campus now. However, the infrastructure to support college students experiencing homelessness is startlingly absent at most higher education institutions. Very few colleges offer low/no-cost, year-round housing or campus support program services tailored to this population. That realization reshaped how I thought about higher education systems. It’s not enough to get students through the door—we must make sure they can stay with comprehensive, student- led, programmatic support.
What has been your life path to higher education and social work?
My interest in human behavior began early in life, and by the time I was applying to a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, I knew I wanted to work with emerging adults in postsecondary education. It’s a fascinating life stage—when young people begin to differentiate from their families of origin, explore and form new facets of identity, and start charting their unique path into adulthood.
As a graduate assistant, I had the opportunity to work closely with a professor whose research focused on postsecondary outcomes for foster care alumni. That experience opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that many vulnerable student populations—especially those with histories of foster care or homelessness—face in accessing and persisting through higher education. That insight ultimately led me to the Unconquered Scholars Program at Florida State University, where I oversaw efforts to support students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care or ward of the state status.
Over the years, I expanded my administrative leadership, scholarship, and service, to focus on dismantling the policy and practice barriers that impede students’ progress in college.
Tell us about the work you do at Florida State University.
At FSU, I serve as an Assistant Teaching Professor at the College of Social Work, teaching primarily graduate level clinical practice content. Additionally, I serve as a Strategic Faculty Associate for the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, continuing my extensive work with the Unconquered Scholars Program—a nationally recognized campus program that supports students who’ve experienced homelessness, foster care, relative care or ward of the state status. Florida State University provides not just financial and academic support to the Unconquered Scholars Program students, but a deeply human need: a place to belong. I continue to provide mentorship, advocacy, and to help students navigate the university landscape while building systems that help them thrive, not just survive. Currently the Unconquered Scholars Program participants have a 90% first year retention rate, 91% six-year graduation rate, and a cumulative GPA of 3.1.
How does the University support your volunteer service for NAEHCY?
FSU has been incredibly supportive. The University understands that meaningful external service—especially in organizations like NAEHCY—enhances our internal mission and responsibility to improve our communities. Whether it’s allowing me flexibility to attend national conferences, support research collaborations, or recognizing the value of this advocacy work, FSU empowers me to bridge campus and community in ways that create meaningful impact.
What are you most excited about when it comes to NAEHCY Next?
NAEHCY Next represents an evolution—not just in scope but in spirit. I’m excited about how we’re centering youth voice and working to expand postsecondary access and campus support systems for cross system involved children and youth. Our work exceeds serving our members as they support those experiencing vulnerable children and youth it’s about transforming systems so future generations never face these barriers in the first place. I’m particularly energized by the cross-sector collaboration and the passion of the emerging leaders who are shaping what’s next.
_______________________
About the Unconquered Scholars Program
The Unconquered Scholars Program (USP) at Florida State University (FSU) was launched in 2012 to improve postsecondary access, retention, and graduation of students with a history of foster care, homelessness, relative care, and/or ward of the state status. The program was developed through a collaboration among students with lived experience, as well as faculty and administrators from various departments.
Lisa began with USP in 2014 and played a pivotal role in building its infrastructure. She continues to serve as a consultant for the program.
To learn more, visit the Unconquered Scholars Program website.