Omar Woodard, Residential Education Advocate
Omar Woodard
Omar is a national figure in the making. Currently a Presidential Administrative Fellow and a public administration graduate student at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, he also served as GW Student Body President during his undergraduate years. He plans to run for political office one day, probably in his home state of Pennsylvania.
Leadership comes easily to Omar. Much of that, he says, comes from his training at Girard College. Serving over 700 low income students from mostly inner city Philadelphia, Girard is one of the country’s premier, and the second largest, residential education program.
Omar grew up with a single mom in a tough neighborhood. Afraid of the harm their environment could have on her son, his mom sent him to Girard – a school still located in Philadelphia, but a new chance to step out of his comfort zone and expand his horizons. The rigorous academic program at Girard was exciting and challenging. Omar lived with houseparents in dorms on campus. He still keeps in touch with one of particular influence, Ms. Simmons.
Balancing life at Girard during the academic year and life back home during the summers was not always easy. For many, slipping back into old habits during the summers was tempting. “It is funny that the way Girard is located in the city, it literally serves as the separation between the ‘hood and the beautiful affluent part of Philadelphia. But the school did a great job of connecting kids to summer jobs.”
Girard, he says, forced him to look inward. When asked what else he gained from his experience, Omar has an endless list: becoming independent, emotional maturity, organization skills, preparation for college, safety, and being part of a community.
He was also heavily involved in CORE during his time at Girard, attending conferences at various residential education programs and meeting other students in similar programs around the country. He met a girlfriend, in fact, who was a student at the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children, another residential education program in Pennsylvania.
“I remember my experiences at these conferences very well. I learned so much and met so many cool kids.”
With his training at Girard, Omar was well prepared to handle college at The George Washington University. Majoring in International Affairs and Public Policy, Omar is particularly sensitive to the issues that affect low income populations in urban areas, including crime, property taxes, minimum wage, and urban housing development. One of his dreams, ultimately, is to become the President of Girard College.
One of his other dreams is to get into elected office to address the issues he cares about more broadly. “The best defense is a strong offense. You make a healthy society by making healthy children, and healthy children need an education. This is why I am a huge advocate of residential education. It is essential.”
April 2007