Introducing the 2023 FamilyU Cohort Student Parent Fellows

“Generation Hope has empowered me to know that my experience is valid and I belong at every table.” — Valeria Fernandez, 2021 FamilyU Cohort Student Parent Fellow  

At Generation Hope, we value and center the expertise of student parents and families, ensuring they have a seat at the leadership table. As with all our work, this value is at the core of our FamilyU Cohort — through which we partner with colleges and universities for two years to create more family-inclusive campuses — and is exemplified through the FamilyU Student Parent Fellowship. 

Joining the FamilyU Cohort experience in the second and final year, Student Parent Fellows are integral members of each institution’s team, working with leadership to enhance supports for parenting students. 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 fellow 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 convenings and collaborate with other student parent champions throughout the nation. 

Generation Hope is thrilled to welcome our third group of FamilyU Student Parent Fellows, who will join our 2023-2025 FamilyU Cohort: Raheem Jackson, College Unbound; Jehyna Wright, Dallas College; Celeste Ampaah, Howard Community College; Shanice Acevedo, Hudson County Community College; Mercedes Love, Jackson State University. Each of the five Fellows brings a unique experience to the FamilyU Cohort as well as a passion for supporting and uplifting the student parents at their institutions.

Meet our Fellows!

Raheem Jackson

College Unbound

Raheem Jackson is a student parent at College Unbound pursuing his BA in Organizational Leadership and Change. He is a married “girl dad” of three children, ages 13, 6, and 4. As an 8-year army veteran who has also worked in law enforcement, Raheem has always dedicated his life to helping others and seeks to utilize his experiences, knowledge, and skills to inspire others to achieve their goals and dreams. He is actively involved with his church, teaching Sunday school and leading outreach projects in the community. Raheem identifies as a big kid at heart who loves cartoons, hiking, having fun, and the Dallas Cowboys. As a FamilyU Fellow, he is excited to extend his talents to Generation Hope and College Unbound’s FamilyU team to advocate for and show other parent students what lies ahead for them and all they can achieve.

Jehyna Wright

Dallas College

Jehyna Wright is a first-generation college student at Dallas College pursuing an undergraduate degree in Music Business Entrepreneurship. Jehyna is Vice President of her campus’ Phi Theta Kappa honor’s society chapter, and the Founder/President of the Dallas College Parent Club. Jehyna is a dedicated sister and mother to her 6-year-old boy. In her free time, Jehyna most enjoys visiting museums or creating her own music and art pieces. Passionate about songwriting and music monetization, she is starting her own music company to promote equity for Black women and minorities in musical spaces. As a FamilyU Fellow, Jehyna is looking forward to building community amongst student parents and advocating the importance of mental health, early intervention, and early literacy resources for student-parent families.

Celeste Ampaah

Howard Community College

Celeste Ampaah is a first-generation student at Howard Community College (HCC), currently pursuing her associate degree in nursing. Driven by her aspiration to become a labor and delivery nurse, she plans to transfer to a four-year university to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With a four-year-old daughter named Liliana, she embodies the resilience and determination of student parents. Her experience as a Generation Hope Scholar along with her passion for uplifting student parents at her institution led her to join the FamilyU Cohort, where she aims to bring a unique perspective and advocate for breaking barriers in higher education. Beyond her academic pursuits, Celeste finds joy in writing music, mastering hair braiding techniques, and expanding her network. She believes in the power of sharing her experiences to inspire others, both within and beyond the academic community. Through her involvement with FamilyU as a Student Parent Fellow, she looks forward to collaborating with other students to find solutions and support for student parents at HCC.

Shanice Acevedo

Hudson County Community College

Shanice Acevedo is a first-generation student parent majoring in psychology at Hudson County Community College (HCCC). Currently, she is the office manager at a prominent dental practice, where she expertly manages office operations, coordinates patient care, verifies insurance, and oversees financial matters. Shanice brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles in customer service and training new employees within both the dental and medical fields. Her dedication to continuous learning is evident through her recent achievement of a certificate in mental health aid, showcasing her commitment to holistic patient care and passion in understanding and improving mental health. As a mother of two children, ages 12 and 7, she strives to set a powerful example for them, demonstrating that with determination and hard work, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Shanice embodies the belief that it’s never too late to make dreams come true, balancing her career aspirations with her dedication to her family's success, and she is excited to bring this perspective to HCCC as their Student Parent Fellow.

Mercedes Love

Jackson State University

Mercedes Love is a first-generation student at Jackson State University (JSU) pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English. In the future, Mercedes hopes to become a clinical researcher in women and health studies. As a senior, Mercedes is an active member of Jewels Inc, a mentoring program for young women at JSU. Mercedes was born and raised in Queens, NY but has since transitioned into a Mississippi southern belle. When she’s not in school or at work, you can find her spending time with her one-year-old daughter Mila, traveling, or on a yoga mat. Mercedes is excited to join the FamilyU team as a Student Parent Fellow, where she plans to break systemic barriers for student parents at JSU and around the country.

We are excited to have these student parents’ expertise and leadership help us drive institutional change for student parents and enrich our 2023 FamilyU Cohort. 

Explore our website to learn more about the FamilyU Cohorts and our technical assistance work. If you have any questions, reach out to us at familyu@generationhope.org.