Championing Student Parent Success: Generation Hope’s 2024 Policy and Advocacy Recap
At Generation Hope, we believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of supporting student parents and removing barriers to their success. Guided by our 2024 National and State Policy and Advocacy Agenda, over the past year, our advocacy has continued to focus on three core areas:
Higher Education Affordability & Accessibility
Childcare Affordability
True Pathways to Economic Mobility
As we worked to advance these priorities, we remained steadfast in our mission to ensure that student parents have the tools and resources they need to thrive. Our efforts were marked by bold initiatives, impactful collaborations, and parent-driven advocacy. This summary is not an exhaustive account of our efforts but highlights key moments in our work in 2024. Here is a look back at our policy and advocacy accomplishments for this year:
Higher Education Affordability & Accessibility
In 2024, Generation Hope elevated student parent voices in advocating for higher education affordability and accessibility. Key highlights include:
Regional Advocacy
Successfully worked with partners to introduce this key piece of legislation in the Maryland House of Delegates and conducted a series of advocacy efforts, including:
A Virtual Testimony Writing Campaign and Testimony Collection to prepare for the bill hearing.
Organized a legislative week to engage lawmakers and highlight the importance of supporting parenting students.
Delivered impactful oral testimony (with partners and student parents) during the hearing to advocate for the bill’s passage.
Published a blog post recapping the progress made on the Maryland Data Collection Bill
Served as a co-sponsor with partners California Competes, UAspire, Michelson Center for Public Policy, UNITE-LA, Cal State Student Association, EdTrust-West, and the California Alliance for Student Parent Success to actively support the passage of this important bill. Submitted testimony at critical legislative stages:
Higher Education Committee
Assembly Appropriations Committee
Senate Higher Education Committee
Senate Appropriations Committee
Signed thank you letters for lawmakers and Governor Newsom for supporting the bill.
Contributed to creating the AB 2458 Webpage Toolkit to support institutions of higher education with implementation compliance.
Inaugural SPAA Member, Krystle Pale, delivering oral testimony in support of AB 2458.
National Advocacy
Title IX Amicus Briefs
Signed on to multiple amicus briefs urging for the protections for student parents in the Fifth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits
Today’s Student Coalition (TSC) DC Student Summit & Hill Day Visits
Supported the TSC during their annual DC Student Summit and met with various legislative offices in the Spring and Fall to discuss policies and pressing issues affecting student parents nationwide.
Thought Leadership & Storytelling
Advance CTE Spring Meeting
CTE policies and programs, with support from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) have increasingly focused on supporting the needs of marginalized learners and closing access and performance gaps among learner groups. As the field continues to grow in their understanding of the unique assets and challenges that each learner community brings to CTE experiences, educators and policymakers are thinking beyond their federal requirements to consider how to best create vibrant, supportive, and diverse learning environments that meet each learner’s needs. In this session, we will discuss how CTE can be maximized for each learner to be fully prepared to succeed in their life and career.
In a plenary session, Amplifying CTE to Support Every Learner, Dr. Williams participated in a national panel to discuss strategies and policies for supporting student parents in higher education with 200 Career Technical Education leaders.
HOPE 2024: A Work in Progress: Organizing Advocates and Lifting State Policies
We facilitated a workshop during Generation Hope’s national conference, HOPE 2024, that empowered state-level advocates to develop effective strategies for driving change based on our efforts to pass student parent data collection in Maryland.
Student Financial Aid Research Network (SFARN) Higher Together Report Presentation
Presented findings from our scholar metrics report to expand awareness of the impact of our Scholar program and inspire collective actions amongst advocates and institutions.
In honor of Student Parent Month, Common App hosted a webinar featuring a panel discussion including Dr. Brittani Williams, Director of Advocacy Policy & Research at Generation Hope, our partner Dr. Joisanne Rodgers, Director of Contemporary Services at George Mason University, a Common App member and Family U school, and partner Dr. Theresa Anderson, Principal Research Associate at Urban Institute. The webinar highlighted their work advocating for student parents in higher education. The panel discussed the need for data on parenting students. They explored how members can use that data to support their students and how Common App can help.
Child Care Affordability & Accessibility
Like higher education affordability and accessibility, child care continues to be another significant barrier for student parents. This year, through our advocacy, we engaged in the following advocacy efforts:
Regional Advocacy
Letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser
Advocated for protecting the Pay Equity Fund in D.C., which ensures fair wages for child care workers and supports the sustainability of child care services.
Letter to New York leaders
Urged the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, and Speaker of the Assembly to prioritize more investment in child care programs across the state to support working families and student parents.
Letter to Louisiana Senate Finance Committee
Thanked members for restoring $24 million that had been cut from the Child Care Assistance Program in the state’s budget, ensuring continued access to child care for vulnerable families.
Research & Engagement
Child Care Survey for Generation Hope’s Student Parent Advocacy Alliance (SPAA) and Scholars
Gathered data on the child care needs and experiences of student parents to guide advocacy efforts and inform future initiatives.
Thought Leadership & Storytelling
Highlighted the child care gaps experienced by student parents during the summer months and how the partnership with Alamo Colleges District and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio is helping to bridge this gap in San Antonio, TX.
“Why the CCAMPIS Program is Vital for College Parents and Needs Policy & Funding Support” Blog
Advocated for increased funding and policy support for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, emphasizing its critical role in helping student parents succeed in college.
2024 SHEEO Higher Education Policy Conference
Generation Hope Director of Advocacy, Policy, & Research, Dr. Brittani Williams, presented findings and strategies for integrating child care into higher education policy discussions and adopting a two-generation approach.
ACE Student Parent Innovation Lab
The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy
Supported in planning and engaged in a thought-partnership convening with a coalition of stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to support student parents.
NERA Conference Presentation
Northeastern Educational Research Association: Perspectives on Student Parents Panel – a conversation on supporting parenting students in higher education, featuring a panel of national experts who offer strategies to create family-friendly campuses that provide better support systems. Speakers include Dr. Brittani Williams, a former parenting student and Director of Advocacy, Policy, and Research at Generation Hope; Miriam Cullimore, Student-Parent and Family Coordinator at Minnesota’s Office of Higher Education; and Megan Brown, a current parenting student and neuroscience major at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Economic Mobility
In 2024, we focused on addressing food insecurity, advocating for equitable policies, and building coalitions to expand basic needs support for student parents and their families. Here’s an overview of our key accomplishments:
National & Regional Advocacy
Swipe Out Hunger Session
Engaged with key partners to discuss innovative strategies to combat hunger among college students, focusing on practical solutions for student parents.
Letter to Massachusetts Senator Joan Lovely
Thanked Senator Lovely for her leadership in championing Amendment #647 for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative, which secured $500,000 in funding to address food insecurity on college campuses in the state.
Letter to Louisiana Governor
Urged the reinstatement of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to provide critical food assistance to families in need.
Overarching Work
Research and Engagement
Student Father Focus Groups: Conducted sessions to understand student fathers' unique experiences and needs.
EmpowerED Dads Report: Shared data and stories highlighting barriers and opportunities for student fathers.
The State of the Student Parent Policy Meeting: Convened partners at our inaugural national conference, HOPE 2024, to discuss the current landscape and propose solutions.
Student Parent Advocacy Alliance
This year, we amplified student parents’ voices through our newly-launched program, the Student Parent Advocacy Alliance (SPAA)
The Student Parent Advocacy Alliance is a new leadership opportunity for parenting students across the country to play a key role in the development of Generation Hope’s regional and national policy priorities and advocacy efforts. The Alliance:
Expanded Generation Hope’s current advocacy efforts and engaged student parents from across the country throughout the year.
Partnered with the Policy & Research team to develop a comprehensive annual Policy Agenda that best serves student parents regionally and nationally.
Provided feedback and suggestions for advocacy efforts, policy priorities, and events.
Serves as an opportunity for student parents to gain new skills in their advocacy, storytelling, and leadership.
SPAA engaged in robust policy and advocacy at state and national levels, and continued building and partnering with coalitions to drive meaningful change.
National Advocacy
Student Parent Advocacy Alliance (SPAA) Launch
Established a dedicated network to empower student parents to advocate for themselves and their peers and launched our initial and second cohorts. We elevated student parent voices and experiences through Instagram takeovers and blog posts throughout the year.
Regional Advocacy
Higher Learning Advocate’s #LetStudentsEat Letter Campaign
A national coalition of higher education and benefits access advocacy organizations committed to ensuring that college students with need have access to resources to help them afford college costs.
Participated in a coordinated effort to advocate for policies that ensure all students have access to affordable, nutritious meals.
Maryland & California Bill Efforts
Delivered impactful oral testimony during the hearings for AB 2458 & HB 0463 to advocate for the bill’s passage.
Letter to Pennsylvania leaders
Called on the Governor, Senate, and House Appropriations Chairs to invest in child care, emphasizing its critical role in supporting economic mobility for families.
Inaugural SPAA Member, Tamara Sahin, delivering oral testimony in support of HB 0463.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on 2024, we’re energized by our progress and partnerships and inspired by the dedication and potential of student parents. In 2025, we aim to deepen our impact by introducing new initiatives, supporting state and federal legislation, and amplifying student-parent voices even further.
To learn more about our work or to get involved, follow Generation Hope on social media or sign up for our e-newsletter. Your support makes these accomplishments possible—please consider contributing today to help us continue advocating for student parents and their families.
Together, we can create a future where student parents and their children thrive.
