Frank Smith III

Frank Smith III was in the Arizona foster care system and was released at the age of 17. Due to the lack of parental support, he was placed in care. His foster placement was plagued by abuse and neglect. However, Frank has used his life story and knowledge to advocate for better outcomes and access to higher education for former foster youth. Frank worked with key stakeholders to pass Arizona Senate Bill 1208- Foster Care Tuition Since spring 2014 through fall 2017, $810,028 in tuition costs and mandatory fees were waived at Arizona community colleges and universities making it possible for 199 former foster youth to attend a higher education institution. Frank, who was the youngest Student Body President to serve at Arizona State University, has ambitious goals to further his own post-graduate education. In the fall of 2018, he will attend the University of Oxford on the prestigious Marshall Scholarship to receive a Masters in Comparative Social Policy. Ultimately, it is his goal to serve as Chief of Staff for a member of Congress.