STEPHENVILLE — Parenting students are the focus of a D2ATX grant recently awarded to Tarleton State University’s Division of Student Engagement and Success through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The $118,450 grant, which includes a partnership with the Urban Institute, will enhance gathering of comprehensive and accurate data on students who are parents so that they can be better served by the university. Understanding parenting students’ specific needs and challenges will enable Tarleton State to develop targeted resources and programs to assist them.
“This is a unique opportunity provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to gain valuable coaching and insight from The Urban Institute,” said Dr. Diana Ortega, Vice President for the Division of Student Engagement and Success. “As we work to meet the changing needs of today’s workforce, we see this as an important chance to strengthen how we assemble data about this unique student population.”
Caris Thetford, Assistant Vice President for Student Wellbeing and Dean of Students, emphasized the importance of relying on high-quality data — not assumptions — to inform decisions, policies and processes.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to strengthen our data collection methods or collaborate with other universities pursuing similar goals, we are eager to take advantage of it.”
Parenting students encounter challenges that differ significantly from those faced by traditional students. They must constantly balance their children’s needs, such as childcare, health and education, with their own academic and personal responsibilities. Financial pressures are often heightened, as many struggle to afford tuition, textbooks and living expenses, especially when prioritizing basic needs like food, diapers, medication and clothing for their children. Additionally, these students often experience emotional stress from worrying about their children’s health or safety while trying to focus on coursework or exams. Time management becomes critical as they juggle multiple roles — parent, employee and student — which can lead to limited participation in campus activities, delaying or dropping courses or forgoing academic opportunities altogether.
“Prioritizing support for parenting students aligns with the university’s goal of helping all students achieve their academic and life goals, which benefits both the institution and the surrounding community,” Thetford said, adding that as the university’s professional and graduate programs grow, so does the percentage of students who have children and families.
“Supporting parenting students helps ensure that they can successfully complete their educational goals. This in turn benefits the broader community by fostering a stronger, more capable workforce.”
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