Search | Menu Madison College Doubles Down Support for Student Parents
Supporting our student parents isn’t optional, it’s foundational.
In a 2022 survey, over 50% of Madison College students reported being caretakers to at least one other person, and approximately 42% of students care for an infant or school age child.
These are students juggling course loads with parenting responsibilities and often a full or part-time job.
The final months of 2023 saw two significant developments in the college’s support for our student parents. In September 2023, the college received national recognition from an organization that assesses and recognizes the supports that institutions of higher education have in place for student parents. And in November 2023, the college laid out a bold new plan for a child care facility as part of the Goodman South campus and an increased presence and capacity for the early childhood education program.
At Madison College, supporting our student parents is not just an investment in their education; it’s an investment in the future of their families and communities. And we’re not alone in this belief.
Generation Hope, an organization focused on ensuring student parents have opportunities to succeed and experience economic mobility, recently announced recipients of its prestigious FamilyU seal. Madison College is one of 13 higher ed institutions (and one of only five community colleges) awarded the official seal, reflecting our ongoing commitment to improving student parent supports and outcomes.
“We’re proud to be recognized as a higher ed institution that champions our student parents,” says Madison College Executive Vice President and FamilyU team lead Sylvia Ramirez. “Student parents embody a special kind of resilience and dedication, and it’s our continued priority to create a culture of care that supports them. We know our investment in supporting parents and their children will pay dividends for generations.”
At Madison College this is about more than the seal and recognition. It’s about our student parents who are pursuing their dreams, setting an example for their children, and making a difference in our communities.
The seal honors our commitment to support the journeys of students like Lai’Kita, Sabrina and Lena who have all benefitted from the College’s Retention Initiatives and Student Engagement (RISE) programs which support the success of a range of high-promise students including student parents.
Lai’Kita is a Madison College student studying in the Liberal Arts/Social Sciences program. She has plans to transfer to UW-Madison to become a music therapist for children. Lai’Kita’s children inspire her to continue her education.
“Being a parent has impacted me by making sure I set an example for my children,” she explained. “I can’t tell them to do good in school and not lead by example.”
Sabrina is a mother of two children, aged 20 and 17, balancing being a working parent, wife and student. She struggled with an undiagnosed learning disability in school but returning to the classroom was her way of reshaping her negative associations with education.
Sabrina’s goal is to inspire her children to embrace challenges, recognize their potential, and excel in their pursuits. Sabrina adds, “To fellow parents, I would offer the advice to relish the journey, take it one step at a time, and don't forget to practice self-care. After all, you are doing what many consider impossible.”
Lena is at Madison College getting her nursing degree while also raising three children as a single mom. She is also a first-generation college student hoping to set an example for her children. Lena acknowledges that the journey is not an easy one and tries to manage the challenges by being flexible – both as a parent and a student.
She encourages other student parents to take the time to build relationships with their college and place of work and their child's school, to access help and resources they may provide.
“It's not always going to be easy and many times I questioned what I was doing,” Lena says. “The thing is to know what you want then to start picking away at little goals to achieve the ultimate goal you desire. Keep focus one step at a time no matter how long it may take you. You got this!”
Goodman South Expansion
One of those hurdles that student parents experience is finding safe, affordable, convenient child care. To help address this urgent issue of a lack of child care facilities and trained providers, Madison College will open a new facility adjacent to the Goodman South Campus that includes a child care facility and instructional spaces for future early childhood educators.
The property, where Madison’s Fire Station No. 6 currently resides, will be transferred to Madison College by the City of Madison to the college for $1. Madison College will operate the facility for child care and to educate future child care providers for at least 10 years following project completion. With the help of lead gifts and support, the college is well on its way to breaking ground on the new facility in summer of 2024.
“We, along with our community partners, have long recognized the lack of quality child care as a barrier for students wanting to attend Madison College, and we know the skills they gain here can propel them into family sustaining employment and adds to the recruitment and retention of employees at our local businesses,” said Madison College President Jack Daniels. “This is the first step, a large step, in expanding Goodman South Campus’ capacity in meeting this crucial need.”
The recognition of the FamilyU Seal indicates that we are ahead of the curve in supporting student parents. The plans for the new facility at Goodman South ensure that we will continue to do more to support parents – not just our own student parents but those in the community who desperately need access to high-quality child care to attend school or to participate in the workforce.
