Myles Nicacio is an English sophomore who aspires to become a college academic counselor. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
More than one in five college students—22% of all undergraduates—are parents, according to National Postsecondary Student Aid Study data. Student parents often remain invisible and unsupported on campuses nationwide despite their significant presence.
Through my work with the Student Parent Joy at Cal Poly, I have seen firsthand these students’ immense dedication and resilience. Their stories, like that of my own mother, illuminate the profound impact of balancing education with parenting and highlight the urgent need for greater support and recognition.
My mother, Yadira Nicacio’s Journey as a Student Parent
My mother’s journey to post-secondary education has given me a deep appreciation for the perseverance of student parents. Her parents, immigrants from Mexico, instilled in her the goal of attending college.
She enrolled in Fresno City College and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts in May 2001. After completing her associate degree, she attended Fresno State in the spring of 2005, all while caring for my two older brothers. Her enrollment was delayed until the fall of 2006 due to time conflicts and having a third child: me, now a second-year student in the College of Liberal Arts.
While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Master of Science in Counseling-Student Affairs and College Counseling, she worked full-time as a financial aid assistant. She finally earned her bachelor’s degree in May 2010 and her master’s degree in December 2015 from Fresno State.
I share my mother’s educational journey because it exemplifies the incredible determination and resilience of her academic and career pathway. Her story is a testament to student parents’ unwavering commitment to their education and their families. Throughout her educational journey, her children inspired her to pursue higher education.
My mother told me that despite entering Fresno State as a student-parent, it wasn’t until she was in her fourth year of college that she encountered support programs for first-generation college students. Fast-forward to less than a decade later, and Fresno State now has a Parent Scholars program that supports student parents through accessibility to priority registration, child care assistance, potential financial aid and scholarships, and additional resources.
My mother’s source of determination to finish school is similar to many student-parents today: knowing a college degree can expand their job opportunities and improve life outcomes for their families.
Like my mom, a student-parent interviewed by the Student Parent Joy team explained, “The same wishes and what my mom has wanted for me, I want them for my daughter now. So, it is like I am passing down generational wishes, but I also want to break down barriers that have come along with that as well.”
Empowering the Present: Student Parents Today
As an academic counselor at Madera Community College, my mother strives to create positive change in the lives of her students, many of whom are student parents. Drawing from her personal experience, she motivates her students by reminding them of their strength, determination, and the bright future she envisions for them.
My mother’s story is shared by many student parents today. Inspired by their children, these individuals often return to education to support students like themselves. In a Student Parent Joy interview, one student parent expressed hope: “to help share some information so that another student parent doesn’t have to deal with this, another student-parent doesn’t give up, another student parent sees that they can make it.”
This vision of supporting student parents is echoed by the California Alliance for Student Parent Success, which aligns the perspectives of student parents, education leaders, and advocates to cultivate ways student parents and their families’ support could be enhanced. Along with efforts from the Chancellor’s office, the 23-campus system is making visible who student parents are through more robust data collection efforts. Universities can better understand the unique characteristics of their student parent populations, such as their personal demographics, Pell Grant eligibility, or first-generation status as a result of the data collection practices. And locally, here at Cal Poly, after years of student advocacy, full-time student services coordinator Courtney Moore now leads efforts to support students with dependents on campus.
The efforts of Student Parent Joy, the California Alliance for Student Parent Success, the Chancellor’s Office, and Cal Poly’s Students with Dependents program make me optimistic about the future of student parents and their children here at Cal Poly SLO.
These strides towards a more inclusive environment for student parents can make it easier for people like my mother. I aspire to become a college academic counselor, am able to attend Cal Poly SLO and write about the experiences of student parents because of the dedication my mother showed as I grew up. I know the college atmosphere for student parents is one which is working to support student parents and simultaneously support the next generation of devoted individuals.