ASCEND Parent Initiative Taskforce
Welcome
Welcome to our virtual Family Resource Center for and about student-parents at Montgomery College. Student-parents are a vibrant part of our MC community. With the launch of the Ascend Parent Initiative (API) in October 2020 and the College’s acceptance into the Inaugural Generation Hope FamilyU Cohort in August 2021, Montgomery College reaffirmed its commitment to student-parents and the transformation of the College into a family-friendly institution.
Montgomery College’s focus on parents began in 2017 when the Single Parent Conference was launched. The conference has since become an anticipated annual event that connects parents with various resources at MC, Montgomery County, and the state of Maryland. The annual conference served as the catalyst for the College’s sustained efforts to improve outcomes for student-parents at MC. As a result, the API taskforce was implemented and builds upon the College’s recognition of the contributions and value of student-parents on our campuses.
The College strives to systematically identify student-parents at MC, center and amplify their voices, and ensure that student-parents can easily connect with each other and resources to increase their enrollment, retention and graduation rates. Moreover, the College is committed to a two-generation approach to policies and practices that create opportunities for addressing the needs of both student-parents and their children in a family-friendly environment.
As the Director of Student Affairs, co-steward of the Ascend Parent Initiative and Generation Hope FamilyU Cohort, and a former student-parent at MC, it is my privilege to welcome you to our virtual Family Resource Center.
Through its ASCEND Parent Initiative Taskforce, Montgomery College will be a national leader in confirming parenting status and assessing barriers to completion, creating a family-friendly campus, providing financial supports responsive to parents, and creating networks for parents to eliminate social stigma.
Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone
Director of Student Affairs, API Co-Chair
Ms. Beverly Coleman
Director of Educational Opportunity Center, API Co-Chair
Goals
- Systematically identify parenting students to collect demographic, academic, family, and housing data about this student population.
- Amplify and center parenting student voices.
- Provide a central repository of resources and engagement strategies specific to parenting students.
Upcoming Events
The Family Empowerment Resource Fair at MC, September 21
Dates for the student-parent pop-ups on each campus:
- Germantown: September 24
- Rockville: October1
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring: October 8
More Information (PDF, )
*Currently enrolled MC students with children can pick up FREE baby supplies, hygiene items, food, and more!
Past Events
If you missed any of our past events, view them here:
Featured Videos
Student-Parents share the experience with MC President Dr. Jermaine F. Williams
Resources
- MC policies related to student-parents
- Student Wellness Center
- Food pantries
- Youth Programs
- Center for Early Education Lab School
- Contact: Lynnette Weaver, Director (lynnette.weaver@montgomerycollege.edu)
- MC TV- Inspirational Parenting videos
- Scholarship Opportunities for student-parents
- Scholar Program — Generation Hope: How to apply for the Hope Scholars program
- English Flyer
- Spanish Flyer
- View a brief videonew window about Generation Hope’s Scholars Program
- Family-friendly Locations on Campus (i.e. restrooms—collegewide—with changing tables,
etc.)
- Mamava Space location on each campusnew window
- 58+ diaper changing stations across our campuses in male, female, and family restrooms
- Expectant mother (and parents with kids) parking at each campus
- High chairs in our campus cafeterias
- Coming Soon: Family Friendly Space in the Rockville Library
- Coming Soon: Family workstations in each campus library
- Achieving the Promise Academy (ATPA)
- The Student Parent Alliance
- Sponsor: Ramica Allen (ramica.allen@montgomerycollege.edunew window)
The MC-EOC program provides information, guidance/advising and application assistance for enrollment in post-secondary education.
Individualized services include:
- Career Assessment and Counseling
- Academic Advising and Guidance
- Information on Entrance Exams
- Individualized Learning Outcomes Plan
- College Admissions Counseling
- Financial Aid Counseling and Application Assistance
- GED practice testing
- Information Regarding Defaulted Student Loans and Assistance in Reinstating Financial Aid Eligibility
There are various ways students can connect with someone in the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), including email, phone and remote appointments. Call or email EOC to confirm if you are eligible to receive services: 240-567-5644, MCEOC@montgomerycollege.edu.
2022 Virtual Single Parent Conference was held on August 13, 2022
- Exhibitors/presenters from MC Single Parent Conference
- Worksource Montgomerynew window
- Greater DC Diaper Banknew window
- SheRises Mommy Closetnew window. By appointment only. Register herenew window or call 240-244-7566
- Maryland Pre-K to Grade 12 Resourcesnew window
- Head Startnew window
- Montgomery County Infants & Toddlersnew window
- Montgomery County Recreationnew window
- Montgomery County Parksnew window
- Montgomery County Public Librariesnew window
- Maryland Council of Tourismnew window
- Maryland Public Television (MPT) Digital Backpacknew window
- PBS Kids Educational Resourcesnew window
- General - Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MDnew window
- Montgomery County Public Schools Parent Academynew window
- For Montgomery County Parents: Maryland Family Networknew window
- Khan Academynew window
- Saturday Schoolnew window
- Child care scholarshipnew window (formerly Child Care Voucher)
- Office of Eligibility and Support Services (OESS) new window, Montgomery County, Maryland
- Food Resourcesnew window
- MANNA Foodnew window
- SNAP Programnew window
-
WICnew window
Montgomery County Family Justice Centernew window
How to Get Involved
- Make Your Voice Heard
- All student-parents are encouraged to complete the MC Student-Parents Questionnairenew window
- Join the MC Student-Parent Alliance club
- Contact the Ms. Ramica Allen (ramica.allen@montgomerycollege.edu), Club Advisor, for more information about meetings and activities
- Volunteer
- Join the Montgomery College Ascend Parent Initiative Task Force: email mcstudentparents@montgomerycollege.edu
- Stay Informed
- Sign up on the MC Student-Parent Distribution List to receive information and local resources for parenting students: email mcstudentparents@montgomerycollege.edu
ASCEND Parent Initiative (API) Members
- Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone, Director of Student Affairs
- Ms. Beverly Coleman, Director of Educational Opportunity Center
- Dr. Melissa Gregory, Associate Senior Vice President of student Affairs
- Ms. Camille Cauley, Recruitment and Access Manager
- Mr. Fabian Drain, Counselor/Professor
- Mr. Marcus Peanort, Dean of Student Access and Germantown Students Affairs
- Ms. Angela Rhoe, Director of Academic Alliances
- Mr. John Hamman, Chief Analytics Officer
- Ms. Yoslin Amaya-Hernandez, MC Student-Parent Alumna
- Ms. Laverne Gordon, Associate Development Officer
- Ms. Brandy Naughton, Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs
- Dr. Sonia Pruneda-Hernandez, Department Chair—Early Childhood Education
- Mr. Steve Greenfield, Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education
- Ms. Stephanie Krasnoff, Marketing Specialist
- Ms. Raquelle Bremmer, MC Student-Parent
- Ms. Ramica Allen, Administrative Aide—Facilities
- Ms. Kristen Roe, Deputy Title IX and Youth Protection Coordinator
- Mr. Brandon Wallace, Professor of Education and Education Coordinator
- Ms. Lynette Weaver, Program Director—Center for Early Education
- Ms. Shereika Chin, MC Student-Parent
- Ms. Rocelyn Alvarado, MC Student-Parent
- Mr. Zachary Mindheim, MC Student-Parent
- Ms. Najah Mills, MC Student-Parent
- Dr. Ja’Bette Lozupone, Director of Student Affairs
- Ms. Beverly Coleman, Director of Educational Opportunity Center
- Dr. Melissa Gregory, Associate Senior Vice President of Student Affairs
- Mr. John Hamman, Chief Analytics Officer
- Mr. Marvin Mills, Vice President of Facilities
ASCEND in the News
- How Montgomery College is Making Student-Parent Work a Reality with FamilyUnew window
- Colleges Brace for More Pregnant and Parenting Studentsnew window
Montgomery College Student-Parent Data
- MC Student-Parent Update (PDF, )