The average student age at Madison College is 29 years old, meaning school is just one of the many responsibilities students have to worry about. Other obligations such as work, bills, and the well-being of family members can easily become overwhelming. Fortunately, the Student Parenting Club is here to aid in one of students’ biggest concerns: the health of their children.  

The Student Parenting Club is exactly what it sounds like: a space for student parents to connect and learn from each other. Sami Drake has spent the past few years supporting student parents, and she’s just one of the people responsible for the upcoming site visit from the New America Foundation.   

Drake says that Madison College is one of five community colleges selected to participate in the Child Care for Student Parents at Community Colleges Cohort. This is a study that will last two years, and according to Drake “is designed to conduct research [through] participating cohort members to advance childcare for student parents and allow us the opportunity to assess data collection, [implementing improvements] to support our student parents.”  

As mentioned previously, Madison College will be hosting a site visit on September 18 and 19. Drake explains that those in attendance can expect members of the New America Foundation to involve themselves in the work of the Student Parenting Club and conducting a student parent focus group. “This,” she says, “will serve as a chance for the New America team to talk with individuals throughout the college about the services/supports we provide for student parents.”  

The goal is that the insights and experiences shared will be used for improving services for student parents and future generations at Madison College.  

This event will be at the Truax Campus in the early morning. If this is of interest to you, visit Wolfpack Connect for more details, or email [email protected].