NRCC Celebrates Student Parents During Student Parent Month

NRCC Student Parent Grad Morgan Gee
NRCC graduate and student parent Morgan Gee

New River Community College is recognizing the accomplishments and challenges of student parents throughout September as part of National Student Parent Month.

Student parents face the often-difficult challenge of balancing college work with family life. Through NRCC’s College Attainment for Parent Students (CAPS) program, the college provides resources, support and opportunities designed to help student parents persist in college and reach their educational goals.

Stephanie Addikis, NRCC’s adult career coach and community outreach specialist, oversees the NRCC CAPS program and works with student parents to connect them with resources and support.

“Our student parents are attending classes, studying, working, and caring for their families,” said Addikis.  “CAPS exists to make that journey a little easier. Whether it’s providing a needed resource, creating a family-friendly campus community, or simply letting a student know that someone is in their corner, we want our student parents to feel supported from enrollment through graduation. Even the small resource or acknowledgment can make such a difference.”

Throughout National Student Parent Month, NRCC is highlighting several ways CAPS supports students and their families.

Connecting Families and Building Community

CAPS provides NRCC student parents and their children with opportunities to participate in free, family-friendly events throughout the year. Events include holiday and graduation celebrations and the annual NRCC Family Fun Festival.

These events give student parents an opportunity to spend time with their children, make memories and connect with other students who understand the experience of balancing college and family responsibilities.

Supporting Student Parents on Campus

CAPS also recognizes that resources for children can make it easier for parents to focus on their college responsibilities. “Busy Boxes” that contain educational toys and activities are available in Student Services offices at both the Dublin campus and Christiansburg site. The boxes are designed to help keep children engaged while the student parent meets with Student Services staff in their offices on campus. Other recent campus additions to aid student parents include lactation spaces in both Dublin and Christiansburg as well as a family-friendly study space in the NRCC Library. CAPS students also have access to all NRCC student resources, including campus food pantry and on-campus mental health clinician services through New River Community Action.

Assistance When Unexpected Challenges Arise

CAPS also offers additional assistance for student parents who may encounter challenges while pursuing their education. New and expecting parents can receive care packages containing items such as diapers and wipes. CAPS also provides access to an emergency fund for parent students experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.

The resources are intended to provide practical assistance when unexpected circumstances arise and help students remain focused on completing their education.

“I am incredibly thankful for the support I have received from CAPS throughout my journey of returning to school,” said CAPS participant Laura Jones. “The funding helped relieve the financial stress of those childcare costs and allowed me to focus on starting my new job without worrying as much about how I was going to manage the added expense. I truly appreciate the investment CAPS has made in helping student parents succeed.”

Celebrating Student Parents

National Student Parent Month also provides an opportunity to recognize the determination of NRCC students who are balancing education, work and family responsibilities.  NRCC encourages student parents to take advantage of the resources and support available through CAPS as they pursue their academic and career goals.

The monthlong celebration will culminate in an open-house style mix and mingle event for NRCC student parents and NRCC faculty and staff to share lived experiences, build belonging, and connect across the student-parent journey. The Student Parent Open House event will be held on Sept. 23 from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. and will include a family meal with kid-friendly activities and free children’s books.

For more information about the CAPS program and resources available to NRCC student parents, contact Stephanie Addikis at saddikis@nr.edu.