September Knowledge Community Spotlight - Adult Learners and Students with Children

I am proud to represent the Adult Learners and Students with Children KC on the NASPA IV-W board!  I would like to share a few of the items our KC is working on currently and invite anyone who is interested to become part of the group. 

Since our beginning a few short years ago, we have always been a very welcoming group.  Even with 570 KC members, our leadership team (which means anyone with an interest!) meets the first Friday of each month from Noon-1:30pm CST for a conference call.  The next conference call takes place on Friday, Sept. 4th.  For advance directions on how to join the call, please contact me.  I will be happy to give you the directions you will need.  If you can’t make the September meeting, mark your calendar for the one in October!

Here are some of the exciting things our KC is currently working on:

·         A pre-conference proposal for the national conference which will explore best practices on “Student Parent Success” (although we do not yet have an actual title).  According to Lumina Foundation (2014), 4.8 million college students (26%) are raising children.

·         Launch of an online module concerning advocating for “Pregnant and Parenting Students”.

·         At least one KC presentation, “Confessions of a Student Parent” at the IV-W regional conference in Colorado.

·         Two KC awards will be given for the first time at this year’s national conference - Outstanding Undergraduate Adult Learner Program and Outstanding Undergraduate Student Parent Program (each has a category for a community college and a four-year institution).  Application deadline is:  Sept. 20^th, with materials due no later than Oct. 1^st. 

Given the “invisible” nature of the students we represent at most four-year institutions of higher education, we view our NASPA KC activities falling within the realm of inclusion and equity.

We would love for anyone reading this highlight to become more involved.  If you want to know more about anything mentioned above, please feel welcome to contact me!

Sylvia Scott
Regional Representative, ALSC KC
University of Arkansas
479-575-7351
sscott@uark.edu