Introducing the 2022 FamilyU Cohort Student Parent Fellows

FamilyU

Jun 20

“This is us, this is who we are. We are student parents, unafraid and unapologetic, standing in our truth.” — Lorraine Oyetubo, 2021 FamilyU Cohort Student Parent Fellow

Since Generation Hope’s inception, one of the common threads woven throughout all of our work is valuing and centering the expertise of students and families. This is at the core of our FamilyU Cohort — which helps colleges and universities enhance their supports for parenting students — and is exemplified through the Student Parent Fellowship Program.

Joining the FamilyU Cohort experience in the second and final year, Student Parent Fellows are integral members of each school’s team, working together to create a more family-friendly campus. Through the framework of FamilyU’s core competency areas — Data, Culture, People, and Policy — Fellows are considered leaders and work alongside academic and administrative staff to drive authentic change to benefit parenting students at their institutions. Student Parent Fellows serve as the liaison between administration and student parents at their schools and act as decision-making representatives. Over the course of the year, each Student Parent Fellow also takes on an Advocacy Project — much like a capstone project — that seeks to complement the efforts of their institution’s individualized FamilyU work plan.

Student Parent Fellows receive compensation to support their time and commitment to the year-long Fellowship. Generation Hope also covers travel costs associated with the Fellowship so our student parents can fully engage in our convening content and collaborate with other student parent champions throughout the nation.

Generation Hope is thrilled to welcome our second cohort of FamilyU Student Parent Fellows: Kristan Hennessy, Austin Community College District; Olivia Patton, Houston Community College; Dwayne McMillen, Madison Area Technical College; Rickkita Riddick, Norfolk State University; Alexis Primo, San Diego Mesa College; Vanessa Rodriguez, Santa Fe Community College; and Corey Poarch, Virginia State University. Each of the seven Fellows brings a unique experience to the Family U cohort as well as a passion for supporting and uplifting the student parents at their institutions.

Meet our Fellows!

Kristan Hennessy, Austin Community College District

Kristan Hennessy is a student at Austin Community College where she is currently pursuing her associate degree in nursing. She aspires to become a nurse practitioner or doctor and open a free healthcare clinic to offer services to impoverished and underrepresented communities. Her focus is on addressing and fighting healthcare disparities by race and class, driven by the belief that lasting change starts with good health and quality education. Kristan is excited to work with other students across the nation to address the needs of student parents and their children, so they can all work towards a better future. When she’s not at school, you can find Kristan working, at the gym, playing games with her husband and two children, or reading.

Olivia Patton, Houston Community College

Olivia Patton is a student at Houston Community College where she is completing prerequisites to apply for the nursing program after obtaining her associate degree in Multidisciplinary Studies. Her goal is to become a registered nurse and continue building a career in healthcare. Olivia is a Licensed Life Insurance Agent and owner of O P NOTARY LLC, where she provides mobile notary services and life insurance options. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with different organizations in the city and spending time with her family and friends, attending concerts, stage plays, movies, visiting art exhibits, traveling, trying new restaurants, and being near water. Olivia currently resides in Houston, TX, with her daughter, Martina.

Dwayne McMillen, Madison Area Technical College

Dwayne McMillen is a student at Madison Area Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Human Services and Information Technology with the ultimate goal of being in a position to give back to his community. He also works in Central Receiving at Madison College ensuring that packages reach their final destination on time. Dwayne has experience advocating to the Madison College District Board, where he presented his research on “Barriers to Transition,” which discussed challenges students have from moving from Academic Advancement classes into college degree programs. As a member of the FamilyU team, Dwayne plans to continue his advocacy and hopes to bring awareness to other student-parents about the opportunities available at Madison College. Beyond Madison College, he serves diligently in his church and community. As a single father, he is inspired daily by his children as he participates fully in their lives.

Rickkita Riddick, Norfolk State University

Rickkita is a recent graduate of Norfolk State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Social Work. Rickkita is married with three boys, two stepsons, and a stepdaughter. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in Social Work in the advanced standing program at Norfolk State University. Rickkita is the president and founder of a nonprofit organization called Sister Healing Sisters Inc., formed to help women in need. She works as a mentor at an adolescent residential behavioral health facility and is a licensed real estate agent. She plans to open a transitional home through her nonprofit for women and children while providing other outreach efforts to the community. As a FamilyU Fellow, she is excited to advocate for and help be part of the change for the student parent community.

Alexis Primo, San Diego Mesa College

Alexis Primo is a current student at San Diego Mesa College pursuing an associate degree in Black Studies in addition to being enrolled at The College of Continuing Education, where she is obtaining certifications in Child Development and Business Management. She is an active member and volunteer with Parent Voices San Diego and The Clairemont Chamber of Commerce. Alexis was born in Georgetown, Guyana, and before attending Mesa College, she studied at The Metropolitan Institute and The Barbados Community College. Alexis recognizes that being a parent to her two children, Ethan and Zara, has made her a better student. During her FamilyU Fellowship, Alexis hopes to be a voice for parents by raising awareness of parenting student needs and assisting in transforming her institution to better serve student parents by alleviating some of the challenges they encounter along their educational journeys.

Vanessa Rodriguez, Santa Fe Community College

Vanessa Rodriguez is a student at Santa Fe Community College pursuing a certificate in phlebotomy and an associates degree in biological sciences. In addition to being a student and mom to her two-year-old son Emiliano and 10-month-old daughter Eliana, Vanessa is also a full-time employee. From an early age, Vanessa’s passion has centered on bettering her community. During her time as a FamilyU Fellow, she is excited to help other student parents become aware of the benefits surrounding them and to begin to make school something realistic and accessible for all student parents regardless of age, race, legal status, or economic class.

Corey Poarch, Virginia State University

Corey Poarch is a junior at Virginia State University majoring in psychology with an aspiration to make a revolutionary impact on the understanding of modern psychology. He currently works as an administrative assistant intern for Holistic Therapeutic Services, a mental health agency providing various resources and programs to the surrounding public. Along with other interests, Corey is also a member of the Virginia State University Marching Trojan Explosion, playing the snare drum. In his free time, Corey loves to spend time with his son, create art, and cook. As a FamilyU Fellow, Corey is ecstatic to begin this journey with Generation Hope as the VSU FamilyU team promotes positive perception, advocacy, and holistic comprehension towards the welfare of student parents. His mission is to serve his peers with humility, consideration, and compassion to ensure the security of their needs.

We are excited to have these student parents’ expertise and leadership in driving institutional change for student parents forward and enriching our FamilyU program. To learn more about the FamilyU Cohort and our technical assistance work, please find some helpful links below: