Jackson State University is helping to elevate the lives of students who are also parents as part of the nonprofit Generation Hope 2023 FamilyU Cohort of higher education institutions. JSU joins the FamilyU technical assistance program, which offers a comprehensive, customized, evidence-based, two-year capacity-building experience designed to forge and refine institutional competencies to improve the academic achievement of parenting students.
“As Jackson State University strives to be all we can and should be for our students and the communities they will serve, we must acknowledge that our students’ success will depend in part on their knowing and appreciating the lived experiences of people who come from different backgrounds,” said Laquala C. Dixon, Ph.D., dean of students at JSU.
The initiative will allow students to critically consider their own lived experience and how the university community operates in solidarity with others to create a more inclusive campus environment and enhance the overall student experience, Dixon added.
Since their inaugural cohort in 2021, Generation Hope has partnered with more than 15 colleges and universities through its FamilyU program impacting more than 60,000 student parents nationwide. FamilyU was created to bolster completion odds for student parents by assisting two- and four-year higher education institutions in developing stronger support systems for their students who are parenting.
“We are delighted to welcome our 2023 FamilyU Cohort of institutions dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable higher education ecosystem that prioritizes success for parenting students and their children,” says Nicole Lynn Lewis, founder and CEO of Generation Hope. “Higher education plays a vital role in breaking down cycles of poverty and fostering social and economic mobility. The institutions that have been selected for our 2023 FamilyU Cohort are committed to this work and to the success of student parents.”
As the program continues to grow to serve more colleges and universities, Generation Hope aims to increase the number of parenting college students who graduate. In addition to JSU, the 2023 selected institutions include:
- College Unbound (Providence, Rhode Island)
- Dallas College (Dallas, Texas)
- Howard Community College (Columbia, Maryland)
- Hudson County Community College (Jersey City, New Jersey)
“When talking about servicing the whole student, we must be thoughtful and intentional in creating equitable learning experiences that are conducive to their lifestyle,” said Arron Richardson, Ph.D., assistant director for Disability Services at JSU. “As a member of the FamilyU cohort, we are dedicated to creating solutions for the long-term success of our parenting student.”
FamilyU equips higher education leaders at these selected institutions with the necessary tools, information, and coaching to make systemic changes to benefit students with parenting responsibilities. By addressing the barriers and obstacles faced by student parents, FamilyU helps colleges and universities transform their campuses in ways that benefit all students.
JSU Generation Hope FamilyU Cohort includes:
- Laquala C. Dixon, Ph.D., dean of students, Division of Student Affairs
- Kamesha Hill, director of Auxiliary Enterprises, Division of Campus Operations
- Mitchell M. Shears, Ed.D., associate vice president for Student Success, Division of Academic Affairs
- LaTonya Robinson-Kanonu, Ph.D., assessment and program evaluator Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness, Division of Academic Affairs
- Theresa A. Smith, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid
- Arron Richardson, Ph.D., assistant director for Disability Services, Division of Student Affairs