Commentary: Prioritize parenting students

3 weeks ago 78

After my daughter’s mom left when she was an infant, I raised her as a single father while I went to college. As a first-generation student, I hoped higher education would create a better future for both of us. Like so many student parents, I faced numerous obstacles including housing and food insecurity and a lack of affordable childcare. I know what it’s like when you can’t pay for books, food or a place to live. Beyond the scarcity of physical resources, I felt like I didn’t fit in. It’s not uncommon for student parents to feel hopeless and isolated on campus. As president of Long Beach City College, I see my personal and professional mission is to make sure all students who come to our campus feel a sense of belonging.

Across the nation, one in five college students are parents. In addition to attending college, student parents engage with multiple sectors including early childhood education, K-12, the labor market and social safety net programs. Together, we must do more to ensure student parents have the support they need to achieve the aspirations they have for themselves and their families.

According to LBCC data, the majority of our student parents are mothers of color who are 25 years of age or older and facing financial disadvantages. The majority of our student parents also identify as single. When I look back on my own experience, I remember single mothers telling me I was in a position of privilege because I am a dad. I stood out as a single parent, and they saw that people wanted to help me. While research on student fathers is scarce, one study shows that student fathers are indeed more likely to receive help than student mothers. I believe that being a student parent is challenging no matter how you identify, but single mothers deal with a unique level of stigma.

When I arrived at LBCC as vice president of student services, I noticed signs with a stroller and a bar through it saying “No children allowed.” We got that changed immediately. That wasn’t the message we wanted to send. At LBCC, we want student parents to know they are appreciated here, and so are their children. In addition to the Child Development Center for children ages 2-5, student parents can also access cost-free after-school care for children ages 6-18 through the Viking Clubhouse, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach. We also offer a California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids program to assist student parents with education, training, and job skills. One of the programs that I’m most excited about involves our partnership with Raise the Barr. Through this partnership, single-parent students and their families can access affordable child care and housing.

We are making progress, but we have more hard work ahead. Culture change takes time, and we need to continually hold ourselves accountable. A recent survey revealed that more than half of the student parents on our campus do not know about the resources available to them. We cannot expect student parents, who are already more likely to face time poverty, to spend hours researching where to find help and navigating disparate processes.

As we strive to improve, we’re engaging other partners in this important work. We are one of four community colleges selected for Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Postsecondary Leadership Circle Activation Fund. Through our partnership with Ascend, we are driving two key strategies forward.

The first involves streamlining resources so that student parents can more easily access services and programs. Our team is in the process of creating a one-stop shop for housing, food, childcare, mental health, academic supports and more. The next strategy involves an outreach campaign to make sure students know about available services.

By nurturing our student parents through degree completion or through the transfer process to a four-year university, we are creating opportunities for one generation to the next. Student parents model hard work and commitment for their children. Today, my daughter is a community college professor, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Beyond providing the very best for their families, student parents have much to contribute to their campuses and their communities. When these dedicated caregivers succeed, it is a win for us all, and that’s why we must continue to dedicate ourselves to their victory.

Dr. Mike Muñoz serves is superintendent-president of Long Beach (Calif.) City College.