WORCESTER, MA – May 14, 2024 – Quinsigamond Community College has secured a $30,000 grant from New America to expand its support of parenting students. QCC was one of five community colleges chosen from across the United States to be part of New America’s Child Care for Student Parents at Community College Cohort.
“New America said they selected QCC because we’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time and they want to learn from us. This is a real testament to the college that we not only recognize the needs of our student population, but also find ways to address these needs so they can be successful in their academic journey,” said QCC President Luis G. Pedraja, Ph.D.
QCC has over 1,400 students who have been identified as parents and Parenting Student Navigator Michelle Brennan estimates that there are even more.
“Parenting students are some of the busiest students. They are juggling school, children, work and home. They’re also some of the most driven students because not only are they trying to change their life, but also the lives of their children,” said Brennan. “Research has shown that when parenting students are given targeted support, they will graduate faster and with a higher GPA.”
QCC has a long-standing history of offering resources to students with children; however, in recent years recognized the need for a more dedicated resource. In 2023, the college opened a Parenting Student Support Services office, which connects these students with services such as counseling, QCC’s Homeplate Food Pantry and Resource Center and scholarship opportunities. Brennan has also developed a cohort of parenting students who support each other as they navigate higher education.
QCC will use the New America funding to expand its existing services. The college is currently developing a free drop-in childcare service for children of QCC students. Brennan explained that this service is in response to the fact that many parenting students are left without childcare when K-12 activities, such as vacation and teachers’ professional development days, don’t line up with the higher education schedules.
New America will conduct a site visit over the summer to learn more about QCC’s parenting student services, the Children’s Lab School and how the college collects data.