Academy Director
Danielle Green-Welch
Academy Director
First Star Kent State Academy
Education
- BA, Public Relations, Ursuline College
- M.Ed, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Phoenix
- Ed.S, Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
Job Description
The Academy Director is responsible for organizing Summer Academy and Saturday Academies, including recruiting and retaining students, hiring and supervising staff, liaising with university officials, and managing overall budget. The Director also engages in some case management for participating students, in collaboration with the students’ social workers, attorneys, caregivers, teachers and other adults involved in the student’s case to encourage personal and academic success. Finally, the Director works with community stakeholders to recruit students, design and implement curriculum, and engage caregivers. Ultimately, the Academy Director is working to support students’ preparedness, academically and personally, as they transition from the foster care system after high school graduation.
Direct Reports
- James Cabil, Youth and Family Advocate (YFA)
- Erin Jones, Graduate Assistant
- Reegan Saunders, Social Media Manager
- Brianna Whitfield, Youth Coach
- Lilah Cooper, Youth Coach
BIO
Danielle Green-Welch, M.Ed, Ed.S is a graduate of Ursuline College, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. She also holds both her Master’s Degree and an Ed.S. in Education, with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction. She has a calling and passion for serving those who are in need, especially youth and young adults.
In 2003, she founded DreamKeepers Programs. DreamKeepers provides mentoring, motivational speaking and introspective workshops focused on Goal Setting, Moral Character, Financial Intelligence and Self-Esteem. In the years since starting the program, Danielle has touched hundreds of young people in the Maple Heights City Schools, the Ohio Department of Youth Services and throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Currently, DreamKeepers is working on expanding its ministry to serve high school youth struggling with substance use addictions.
In 2014 Danielle transitioned to the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. As Emancipation Unit Supervisor with the Division of Children and Family Services, she presented at both local and national conferences, planned several successful formal events for DCFS and spear-headed a community initiative (The Purple Umbrella) that has created over eighty new community partnerships with DCFS for youth aging out of foster care; educating them on the diverse needs and experiences of this population. In 2017 Danielle presented at the National Alliance to End Homelessness conference in Washington, DC, educating the attendees on ways to create sustainable housing options for at-risk youth, including youth impacted by foster care. Additionally, from 2015-16 Danielle was a member of the Quality Parenting Initiative workgroup for Cuyahoga County; the focus was developing training and curriculum to recruit and educate potential foster parents on understanding and meeting the needs of foster youth. Her work included development of engaging interactions and trainings with youth, focused on dialogues around gender, sexuality and the ethnic diversity of youth in foster care. Danielle has presented throughout the Greater Cleveland area, and across the country, sharing strategies on how to successfully leverage community supports to help “wraparound” youth impacted by the foster care system.
She has been recognized for her continued commitment to creating bridges of opportunity and support for young adults impacted by foster care. For her work to support youth impacted by foster care, Danielle has received several awards from community organizations, including the National Council of Jewish Women, Bessie’s Angels, The Purple Project Conference and A Place for Me (YWCA). Now as the Academy Director of the First Star Kent State Academy, Danielle continues her commitment to supporting foster youth, by creating programming that will enrich high school students both academically and personally, thereby creating a supportive bridge into young adulthood.
Contact
dgreenw6@kent.edu, [o] 330-672-3039