The 2024 FamilyU Cohort
The 2024-2026 FamilyU Cohort
In August 2024, Generation Hope announced the five institutions participating in our new FamilyU Cohort. Our team is working with staff members and parenting students at each of these institutions through 2026 to drive student parent success. Learn more about the cohort’s impact on our blog.
Meet the Cohort: Five Trailblazing Institutions Championing Student Parent Success
City College of San Francisco
CCSF, a pioneer in accessible education, offers free tuition for San Francisco residents and was the first to establish a Family Resource Center and an LGBT Studies major. It serves 24,000+ students at six citywide locations with 250+ degree and certificate programs.
El Camino College
El Camino College excels in transfer success, ranking Top 10 for UC and Top 5 for CSU transfers. It offers 120+ certificate programs and 95+ degrees, awarded $900K in scholarships to 620 students in 2023, and boasts a championship-winning forensics and men's soccer team.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Located in the heart of Denver, MSU Denver serves 17,000 students across 90+ majors and 10 graduate programs. With 80% of its 108,000 alumni staying in Colorado, the university drives community and economic growth while offering accessible, relevant education.
Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is an HBCU serving over 2,200 students, with 87% identifying as Black or African American. Known for its School of Social Work and Louisiana’s only BS in Forensic Science, SUNO excels in community engagement, resilience, and national competition success.
University of New Mexico
Founded in 1889, UNM is New Mexico's flagship R1 research university, offering diverse academic programs and branch campuses statewide. With 200K+ alumni and leading healthcare and research initiatives, it anchors Albuquerque and serves 24,000+ students.
Learn about our 2024-2026 FamilyU Cohort
FamilyU partners with colleges and universities across the country to increase the number of parenting college students who complete their programs and graduate.
In partnership with institutional staff and student parents, the four inaugural cohort institutions are currently participating in peer learning convenings and campus-focused independent coaching sessions.
2024 Cohort FamilyU Student Parent Fellows
Maria Lopez
El Camino College
Maria Lopez is a proud and involved mother of four, including a spirited two-year-old, and a passionate advocate for student parents at El Camino College. As a returning nontraditional student, Maria has firsthand experience with the barriers and obstacles faced by student parents. She is currently pursuing a certification in Child Development with the goal of working in preschools or child care centers. Maria is especially focused on bringing a Child Development Center back to campus, not only to provide vital child care support for student parents, but also to offer practicum opportunities for Child Development students, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and hands-on experience. On weekends, Maria can often be found cheering from the sidelines, or even coaching, at her children's sports games.
Heather Brandt
City College of San Francisco
Heather Brandt is a Latina Muslim student-parent from SF & the first in her family to pursue a college degree. She is currently working toward a Trauma Prevention & Recovery Certificate while completing transferable units at CCSF. As a mother of three & caregiver for her aging parents, Heather is deeply committed to creating a more equitable & compassionate world for families like hers.
Her lived experiences as a systems-impacted individual have shaped her passion for public health, social justice, & legislative advocacy. She currently serves as the Student Chancellor for CCSF, where she champions affordable education, accessible public transit, & student parent resources. Heather is excited to join Generation Hope's Student Parent Advocacy Fellowship to help shift narratives, uplift marginalized voices, & work toward policies that support parenting students in achieving their dreams.
Mariyah Younger
MSU Denver
Mariyah Younger is a dedicated mother of three and a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), where she is majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Anthropology. Mariyah understands the complexities of pursuing higher education while parenting, balancing academics, work, extracurriculars, and family life. As a FamilyU Fellow with Generation Hope, she brings valuable insight and experience to her role, aiming to connect student parents with the resources and tools they need to thrive. Mariyah’s future goals include continuing her education and securing a permanent position at her university to further her impact on campus.
Johnnetta Randall
Southern University at New Orleans
Johnnetta Randall is a student at Southern University at New Orleans, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Sciences. Her ultimate goal is to become a school counselor, where she can inspire and uplift young people to become the best version of themselves. Having experienced loss at a young age, Johnnetta knows the vital role mental and emotional support play in a child’s development. This perspective fuels her advocacy for increased mental health resources in schools, including weekly check-ins with students.
Johnnetta is honored to collaborate with student parents nationwide, using her voice and experience to help build brighter futures for families in higher education. Outside of school, she works and cherishes quality time with her boys, motherhood being one of her greatest joys. She takes pride in walking the path of parenthood and education simultaneously, with determination and purpose.
Want to learn more about the FamilyU Cohorts?
Our FamilyU Team would love to connect with you! Please reach out to us at familyu@generationhope.org.