Capacity Building
Collaborating with higher education institutions to better serve student parents
We seek to strengthen institutional practices to create an inclusive and supportive environment where student parents can thrive academically and personally. Through curated workshops, resources, and collaborative initiatives, we guide institutions toward building stronger, more responsive frameworks committed to the success of every student parent.
Announcing Our Second Community of Practice Cohort
We’ve selected six colleges for our second second Community of Practice cohort. For six months, we’ll be partnering closely with UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Golden West College, Napa Valley College, CSU Fresno and CSU Dominguez Hills to support them in improving their student parent data collection, identifying family-inclusive policies and practices, and implementing the GAINS Act.
The Process Overview
The CoP will guide participating colleges through a structured, collaborative process to enhance support for parenting students. This process includes:
- Conducting and refining data collection on parenting students;
- Identifying problems of practice, analyzing data and root causes;
- Learning from experts about best practices; and
- Creating and finalizing action plans with clear goals, metrics, and safeguards.
Program Goals and Benefits
The CoP aims to increase degree attainment among single mothers and parenting students, and encourage the adoption of supportive institutional policies. Selected colleges will receive:
- In-kind technical assistance valued at $75,000;
- Guidance in identifying two policy or practice changes;
- Peer learning and support; and
- Stipends to support engagement.
Participant Reflections
Curious about what previous CoP participants had to say about their experience?
- “The Community of Practice brought many different departments to work together towards a shared goal. I feel really hopeful about what’s to come.”
- “Honored to have been a part of this group. All meetings have been worthwhile and time well spent. I feel like we actually accomplished things for the betterment of our community and organization.”
