USC’s Pullias Center to Focus on Support Systems for Student Parents with New Grant from Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation

Community college student parents experience many struggles and challenges that contribute to being less likely to earn a college degree, credential or certificate, but are more likely to thrive with targeted institutional support systems. The Pullias Center will document the best practices for student parents with support from a grant provided by the Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation.

The study will focus on student parents in two-year colleges to understand how institutions support and engage with equitable practices and resources. The team will identify shared and differentiated programs/resources to support student-parents in community colleges.

Adrian Huerta will serve as the principal investigator and shares, “This work follows a previous study of Latinx student parents and other student parents of color on how they prepare for careers and transition into the labor market.” Huerta continues, “We’re excited to continue exploring how two-year colleges can support student parents and have an inter-generational impact on their children.”

This student parent research project is funded by the Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation. The nonprofit serves Southern California by funding innovative projects and initiatives that benefit Los Angeles County and improve the well-being of its communities.