One in every eight undergrads at Virginia public colleges juggles academic challenges with the pressing demands of parenthood. While research shows that these students either earn similar or better grades than their peers without children, parent students are about twice as likely to leave college before graduating and earning a degree. After piloting a program of targeted support and services for VCCS parent students, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) is hoping to expand services gradually to community colleges statewide.
Keyana Elliott was an honors graduate from the nursing program at Germanna Community College.
“This program has been a door-opener for me,” said Keyana Elliott, a single mom of two who graduated last year from the nursing program at Germanna Community College. “CAPS helped me continue my education, and that was important in helping me to be a successful role model for my children.”
Participants, supporters and coordinators of CAPS – which stands for College Attainment for Parent Students — gathered at the VCCS System Office in Richmond this month to take stock of what’s been learned about boosting success rates for parent students.
CVCC student Hanna Pierce (r.) spoke during the CAPS gathering in Richmond on March 6.
“Everybody has challenges, and CAPS has meant there was somebody there to hear me and help,” said Hanna Pierce, a general studies major at Central Virginia Community College.
CAPS supported students through coaching, comprehensive wrap-around services, and targeted financial assistance.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for this program,” said Teneka Newsome, who is studying Human Services at Tidewater Community College. “CAPS has provided a sense of belonging and motivation.”
TCC Human Services major Teneka Newsome (r.) spoke during the CAPS gathering in Richmond March 6.
Over the past two years, CAPS provided specialized support for a total of 179 parent students at five pilot colleges, Brightpoint, Central Virginia, Germanna, New River and Tidewater Community College.
Students in the program consistently achieved higher success rates, attempted and earned more credits, and exhibited higher retention rates compared to other program-placed students.
(l)Teneka Newsome and family. (r) Hannah Pierce and family.
CAPS will continue at our colleges but with a new focus on sustainability. A new statewide coordinator will seek improved data collection and will work to connect parent students with locally available services across Virginia. The expansion will follow the example of the VFCCE’S Great Expectations program, which gradually grew to serve all of Virginia’s Community Colleges as local resources were identified and mobilized.
In the immediate future, a report compiled by a consulting firm that helped VFCCE manage the CAPS pilot will share initial academic outcomes observed over the course of the pilot program. The report also will make the case for helping colleges identify their parent student populations to better connect them with evidence-based supports.
In addition, VFCCE will also develop a toolkit for the statewide coordinator to share with individual colleges that provides them with structured onboarding materials, training sessions, and implementation guides for faculty and staff.
Meanwhile, VCCS Chancellor David Doré said he will look for policy changes aimed at making Virginia Community Colleges more welcoming to families. “Parent students are my heroes,” said Dr. Dore at the March 6 gathering.
Learn more about the CAPS program.
You can view and download photos of the March 6 CAPS event in Richmond.
