The 2025 FamilyU Cohort
The 2025-2027 FamilyU Cohort
In June of 2025, Generation Hope announced the four institutions participating in our new FamilyU Cohort. Our team is working with staff members and parenting students at each of these institutions through 2027 to drive student parent success.
Interested in Becoming a Student Parent Fellow?
Watch this info session to learn about FamilyU and what it means to serve as a student parent leader on your campus.
Applications for the June 2026 – July 2027 Student Parent Fellowship are now closed.
Meet the Cohort: Three Trailblazing Institutions Championing Student Parent Success
University of Maryland Global Campus
UMGC, established in 1947 and a pillar of the University System of Maryland, is one of the nation’s largest adult-serving universities. With 55,838 students (fall 2022), it offers 135+ online, hybrid, and in‑person undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs tailored to working professionals and service members. It operates from over 175 locations worldwide, stands among the top 10 federal G.I. Bill recipients, and provides cost-saving initiatives like $0 textbook costs.
Harris-Stowe State University
Harris–Stowe State University became a unified institution in 1954 following the merger of two historic teacher-training colleges in St. Louis. Now a public historically Black university, it enrolls over 1,000 students and offers 50+ majors, minors, and certificates through its Colleges of Business, Education, and Arts & Sciences. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Harris–Stowe has served the region for more than 160 years.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
UHCL, a standalone member of the University of Houston System since 1971, serves approximately 8,961 students (6,488 undergrad, 2,473 grad) on its 524-acre suburban campus adjoining NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Organized into four colleges—Business; Education; Human Sciences & Humanities; and Science & Engineering—it offers 97 degree programs (46 bachelor’s, 48 master’s, 3 doctoral), along with certificates and minors, while focusing on research, community partnerships, and STEM-oriented education.
Angie Beck
Harris-Stowe State University
Angie Beck is a driven and resilient student at Harris-Stowe State University, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. As a single mother of her 5-year-old son, Angie’s academic journey is fueled by a profound desire to build a successful, healthy life for her family and to make a meaningful impact on her community.
Her path to education has been shaped by perseverance. After early academic setbacks and navigating personal hardships, Angie built a foundation of stability, proudly purchasing her first home at the age of 24. In 2022, she discovered her true calling while working as a substitute teacher in her childhood school district. Witnessing firsthand how critical the early development stages are for young minds inspired her to return to college, where she now maintains a rigorous focus on achieving top grades.
Sarah Dennis
The University of Houston Clear Lake
Sarah Dennis is an undergraduate student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) pursuing a Bachelor’s in Social Work. A dedicated single mother to her sons, Sarah has devoted her career to practicing social justice and advocating for at-risk populations within community healthcare.
Her own academic journey has revealed the steep, systemic inequalities faced by student parents. Navigating higher education with minimal targeted support, Sarah has experienced firsthand the lack of parental resources—including the absence of parent-specific study groups, family-friendly housing, and reliable after-hours childcare. She believes that supporting student parents is an ethical responsibility that directly impacts the next generation.
Tierra Queen
University of Maryland Global Campus
Tierra Queen is a dedicated student at the University of Maryland Global Campus, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity Technology. She aspires to serve in the government sector as an ethical hacker, using her technical skills to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable communities.
Professionally, Tierra serves as a Family Investment Specialist with the Department of Social Services in Baltimore, Maryland. In this role, she works closely with individuals and families to provide the guidance, support, and resource access necessary to build pathways toward long-term stability and an improved quality of life.
As a single mother of two young boys, Tierra’s academic and professional journey is deeply rooted in resilience and determination. Her children are her greatest motivation as she works to break generational barriers and redefine what is possible for her family.
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.