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.
Request for Applications: Empowering Parenting Students Through a Community of Practice Initiative
We’re launching a new initiative aimed at transforming the landscape of higher education for parenting students across California Community Colleges, with a focus on single mothers. Through collaboration, research, and targeted support, we strive to create equitable opportunities for student parents.
The 2024 application for The Alliance’s Community of Practice Initiative is now open! California Community Colleges are eligible to apply.
Applications are due by June 1, 2024. Please note that you must sign into a google account to submit the application.
Key Dates & Timeline
- Informational Webinar: May 15, 2024, 1:30 PM PT
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2024, 5:00 PM PT
- Notice of Decision: June 17, 2024
- Public Announcement: August 1, 2024
- Implementation Period: September 2024 – February 2025
Eligibility and Application Requirements
All California Community Colleges with a focus on supporting parenting students and single mothers are eligible to apply. Applications must demonstrate a need for assistance, potential impact, leadership support, and capacity for engagement. Preference will be given to colleges with diverse student bodies and established family-friendly policies. Learn more about full eligibility, program goals, and benefits here.
Program Goals and Benefits
The Community of Practice opportunity 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), focusing on:
- Developing programmatic initiatives that include at least two policy or practice changes to serve single mothers and student parents better.
- Engaging in a community of practice model for peer learning and action plan development.
How to Apply
- Ensure your institution meets the eligibility criteria detailed above.
- Familiarize yourself with the program goals and benefits to align your application.
- Participate in the scheduled webinar on May 15, 2024, to gain comprehensive insights into the application process and program expectations, and have your live questions answered by the program team.
- Formulate your application, focusing on demonstrating:
- Your campus’ commitment to supporting parenting students, with a particular focus on single mothers.
- Your campus’ need for assistance and the program’s potential impact on you and your team’s capacity to engage in the community of practice and implementation of the action plan.
- Include letters of support from key campus leadership and, if possible, from the college president.
- Designate members of your college team, covering roles such as administration, student services, academic affairs, financial aid, institutional research, and representation of current parenting students.
- Compile all required documentation as specified in the application instructions.
- Submit your application by the deadline. Applications are due by 5:00 PM PDT on June 1, 2024.
- Please note that you must sign into a google account to submit the application.
- After submission, your application will be reviewed by the selection committee.
- Notifications of decisions will be communicated by June 17, 2024.
