York student finds support, mentorship in Fostering Lions Program

YORK, Pa. - When filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, Charlie Keller-Golden took special note of box 52 - the box applicants should check indicating whether they are an orphan, foster youth or ward of the court.

Keller-Golden, now a third-year student majoring in cybersecurity analytics and operations at Penn State York, had tragically lost both his parents before graduating from high school. By checking box 52 on his FAFSA form while completing paperwork to enroll at Penn State, Keller-Golden was immediately connected with the University's Fostering Lions Program. The program expands access to education and provides proactive and comprehensive support for foster youth at Penn State.

Cheri McConnell, education coordinator at the University's Child Maltreatment Solutions Network, serves as the "coach" of the Fostering Lions program, tracking students' academic progress and connecting them with financial resources, academic and career planning resources, and an advocacy network. Keller-Golden is one of nearly 50 students across the commonwealth who have benefited from the Fostering Lions Program since its inception in 2018.

"Cheri wants to see all of us succeed and do good in life, and she will do whatever she can to achieve that goal," Keller-Golden said. "Having that program to pick up where ... other support left off means so much. It makes me so much less scared to move forward and it really enables me to do the best that I can to the best of my ability."

Keller-Golden, who is on track to earn his bachelor's degree in May 2026, has already accepted a full-time job offer for when he graduates. Learn more about Keller-Golden's path to Penn State, his involvement with Fostering Lions, and his experiences at the York campus in the video below.