Holistic Student Supports

Parenting students in their own words

Stories & Case Studies

September 30, 2025

Throughout the month of September, Achieving the Dream has celebrated National Student Parent Month. This observance is an opportunity not just to celebrate the one in five community college students who are parents or caregivers but also to highlight the unique challenges these learners face and the steps institutions can take to help parenting students thrive.

We also had the opportunity to hear directly from parenting students across the ATD Network. They generously shared their experiences, detailing obstacles they have overcome in higher education, support they have received, and their hopes for the future.

Keep reading to explore testimonials from parenting students across the country.

“What I wish others knew about being a parenting student…”

“What I wish others knew about being a student parent is that it takes strength you don’t know you have. [The Career Pathways program] has supported me from prerequisites to the bridge program, believing in me even when I didn’t. I want other parents to know — it’s possible.”

Stephanie Patrick, North Arkansas College

“Being a student parent is about more than just going back to school. For me, it’s about showing my kids that it’s never too late to chase a dream, no matter how big or little it may seem. It’s about showing them that working hard and staying focused leads to big rewards. Going back to school after being out of high school for 13 years has been one of the harder but most rewarding experiences of my life so far, and it has been made even more special by my children getting to witness me succeed at something I thought was out of reach.”

Danielle Thompson, Roane State Community College

“Finding balance is the most important thing. I keep myself on a schedule so that I have time set aside for school each night. Some nights, my son needs me and I’m not able to stick to that schedule, and that’s okay. Expecting the unexpected is part of being a parent.”

Roberta Harper, Pierce College

“Being a student parent is a daunting task, but perseverance and discipline are essential. It will be worth it, in the end.”

Israel Vicencio, Pierce College

“How my college supports me as a parenting student…”

“My college, professors, and counselors are all understanding and helpful in acknowledging the hardships and reality of taking care of another human while being enrolled in class.”

Israel Vicencio, Pierce College

“Roane State helps out in many ways, from one-on-one tutoring to food pantries.”

Julian Morales, Roane State Community College

“Communication with my professors is key. Being a single parent means I’m the only one for stomach aches, sickness, and injuries. Most of the time, my professors have been accommodating, and I am thankful for that.”

Roberta Harper, Pierce College

“Roane State supports me as a student parent through offering evening classes and online-only courses which help me stay where I’m needed at home. They have different resources available, such as a food pantry and kindness closet, that help not just student parents but all students alike.”

Danielle Thompson, Roane State Community College

“A day in my life…”

“My day starts early as I work full-time from home while taking care of my son. In the afternoon, we run some errands, go to the gym, and spend time playing. Our nighttime routine is usually dinner, bath, bedtime. Once my son is asleep, I spend a couple of hours on my schoolwork, then clean my house before going to bed. Our weekends allow a little more time for fun and play, but we try to stick to the same nighttime routine.”

Roberta Harper, Pierce College

“I work the night shift from 12:00 to 8:00 a.m. I wake up around 1:30 to start my day. While my wife goes into work at 2:00, I watch my youngest kids, then I pick up my oldest kids from school, and take them to practice. Then we come home get ready for bed, and then I go into work.”

Julian Morales, Roane State Community College

“My life starts when my baby wakes up. … Devoting my time and energy for my baby’s growth and development is a draining task. If the baby is napping, I try my best to start reading my textbooks or working ahead on assignments. Same goes at night — I usually pull all-nighters while my baby is sleeping. It is exhausting, but I know there will be a rewarding outcome.”

Israel Vicencio, Pierce College

“Wake up, get my kids ready for school … Right now I work at the same school that they attend, so that makes our mornings a bit easier. I work the after school program on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on the other days of the week I head home after work and help the kids with their homework, fixing snacks and tidying our home before working on dinner. After baths are had and the kids are in bed, I stay up a little later to work on class work so that I don’t have to spend all day on the weekend working on that. I try to be intentional about keeping family first and school work second so that I don’t miss out on family time with my kids and husband.”

Danielle Thompson, Roane State Community College

“Why I’m doing this — and what comes next…”

“I have chosen to return to school to pursue my dreams while balancing the responsibilities of motherhood. I want to demonstrate to my daughter that, regardless of life’s challenges, determination and education are among the most powerful tools one can possess. I am committed to building a future that allows me to help others that have had similar experiences, and I am confident that I can achieve all of the goals that I set for myself.”

Molly Gray, Roane State Community College

“You ask why, and I say why not? When I took my current job as a preschool assistant with Anderson County Schools, part of the job description included that I had to be actively pursuing a CDA credential. That was the beginning of my journey going back to school. I was awarded my CDA credential in May 2025 and thought, ‘Why stop there?’”

Danielle Thompson, Roane State Community College

“I am doing this to develop my intelligence and skills to pursue a better career, which would make a better future for me and my family.”

Israel Vicencio, Pierce College

“The reason I am going to college is to become a TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) officer — to have the career I’ve wanted since high school.”

Julian Morales, Roane State Community College

“I’m a single mom in my mid-40s, and my three-year-old son has taught me to stay curious and willing to learn. I want to show my son that you can do anything at any age and that the lessons he’s teaching me are just as important as what I teach him. I have set out a schedule to get my associate’s degree, then follow it with a project management certificate. From there, I’m not sure, as I’m still deciding what I want to be when I grow up.”

Roberta Harper, Pierce College

Want to see how the ATD Network is stepping up to support parenting students? Here are just a few of the stories featured during Student Parent Month:

Back to basic needs: One college’s approach to student parent success

Explore ATD’s assessment services, including the Student Parent Opportunity Assessment

Learn more about ATD’s expertise in supporting parenting students and other holistic student supports

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Holistic Student Supports

Parenting students in their own words

“What I wish others knew about being a parenting student…”

“What I wish others knew about being a student parent is that it takes strength you don’t know you have. [The Career Pathways program] has supported me from prerequisites to the bridge program, believing in me even when I didn’t. I want other parents to know — it’s possible.”

“Finding balance is the most important thing. I keep myself on a schedule so that I have time set aside for school each night. Some nights, my son needs me and I’m not able to stick to that schedule, and that’s okay. Expecting the unexpected is part of being a parent.”

“Being a student parent is a daunting task, but perseverance and discipline are essential. It will be worth it, in the end.”

“How my college supports me as a parenting student…”

“My college, professors, and counselors are all understanding and helpful in acknowledging the hardships and reality of taking care of another human while being enrolled in class.”

“Roane State helps out in many ways, from one-on-one tutoring to food pantries.”

“Communication with my professors is key. Being a single parent means I’m the only one for stomach aches, sickness, and injuries. Most of the time, my professors have been accommodating, and I am thankful for that.”

“Roane State supports me as a student parent through offering evening classes and online-only courses which help me stay where I’m needed at home. They have different resources available, such as a food pantry and kindness closet, that help not just student parents but all students alike.”

“A day in my life…”

“I work the night shift from 12:00 to 8:00 a.m. I wake up around 1:30 to start my day. While my wife goes into work at 2:00, I watch my youngest kids, then I pick up my oldest kids from school, and take them to practice. Then we come home get ready for bed, and then I go into work.”

“Why I’m doing this — and what comes next…”

“I am doing this to develop my intelligence and skills to pursue a better career, which would make a better future for me and my family.”

“The reason I am going to college is to become a TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) officer — to have the career I’ve wanted since high school.”

Holistic Student Supports

Back to basic needs: One college’s approach to student parent success

Holistic Student Supports

Showing parenting students they belong at North Arkansas College

Holistic Student Supports

Early progress and takeaways from the Support To Advance Student Parent Practices cohort