The Student Parent Empowerment Program, generously funded by ECMC Foundation, will provide tailored college-to-career advising, micro-internships and peer networks to help student parents succeed from enrollment to graduation and into their careers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly one in five undergraduate students in the United States is a parent, yet many higher education systems do not have resources in place to address their unique needs. To support these students as they earn their degree and prepare for their career, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is launching the Student Parent Empowerment Program, generously funded by ECMC Foundation.
This two-year initiative is designed to provide participants with critical skills, wraparound support and clear pathways to sustainable employment. But it doesn’t stop there: in partnership with Sova Solutions, the project will provide the data and evidence needed to scale and expand these efforts, ultimately creating more pathways for parents to earn their degrees and launch their careers.
Making Their Degree Count
Earning a degree while raising a family and holding down a job can be a nearly impossible balancing act. Many student parents are forced to choose between attending class and earning income for their families. They carry a median debt load that’s 2.5 times higher than students without children.
Student parents make enormous sacrifices to earn their college degree, but a degree alone often isn’t enough to stand out in the job market. In fact, more than half of recent college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in jobs that don't require a degree.
The key to being competitive is hands-on work experience in a student’s field of interest, and a network of peers and professionals who can vouch for them. Unfortunately, the traditional ways students gain those things, like unpaid internships and networking events, assume time and connections that most parents simply don't have. The Student Parent Empowerment Program changes that.
Designed Around Student Parents' Lives
The Student Parent Empowerment Program offers the experiences and flexibility student parents need to earn their degree and prepare for a successful career launch after graduation. The program includes a compensated micro-internship, one-on-one coaching, and a funded weekend in Washington, D.C. designed to develop skills and establish a professional network. Most importantly, the program is built to flex around participants’ class schedule, work shifts and caregiving responsibilities, instead of competing with them.
Beginning in fall 2026, the program will serve up to 75 student parents at Miami Dade College, UNC Greensboro and Hinds Community College, institutions chosen to represent urban, suburban and rural communities.
“Together, we are committed to building a more equitable and supportive learning environment that helps student parents reach their educational and career goals,” said Kim Churches, TWC’s president and CEO.
Building a National Model
The Student Parent Empowerment Program is more than a single pilot program. Throughout the two-year initiative, Sova Solutions will identify scalable components, develop effective evaluation frameworks and create systems for cross-institutional learning. By documenting and sharing best practices, TWC, ECMC Foundation and Sova aim to inform the first scalable, national model to promote student parent career success.
To learn more about the Student Parent Empowerment Program, visit the program webpage. Student parents, employers interested in offering a micro-internship and prospective partners can learn more by contacting info@twc.edu.
About ECMC Foundation
The mission of ECMC Foundation is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. Since 2016, ECMC Foundation has invested more than $20 million in programs, research and organizations working to improve outcomes for student parents and their families. To learn more about ECMC Foundation’s initiatives, visit their website.
About Sova Solutions
Sova is a mission-driven strategy and implementation firm dedicated to improving higher education and workforce development to meet society's evolving needs, with a core commitment to advancing socioeconomic mobility for all Americans. To learn more, visit their website.
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