FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2025
Contact:
Jay Shepley
Director of Communications, Generation Hope
press@generationhope.org | 202-735-1339
Generation Hope Announces New FamilyU Cohort and Celebrates Breakthrough Progress in Supporting Parenting College Students
Washington, D.C. June 17, 2025 – Generation Hope, a nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy and research for student parents in college, is proud to announce the newest institutions selected for its FamilyU Cohort—its signature two-year capacity-building experience designed to help colleges and universities create family-inclusive campuses and improve outcomes for parenting students.
The 2025–2027 FamilyU Cohort includes:
University of Maryland Global Campus
Harris-Stowe State University
Germanna Community College
University of Houston–Clear Lake
“With our fifth FamilyU Cohort, the Generation Hope FamilyU community has grown to 26 institutions across the country that are boldly investing in student parents. That’s something to celebrate,” said Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder & CEO of Generation Hope. “Because when colleges collect the right data and build intentional strategies that center parenting students, they are not only improving graduation rates—they are transforming higher education and unlocking generational change.”
Media Invitation: Attend or Schedule Interviews
On Wednesday, June 26, 2025, Generation Hope will host a FamilyU Celebration at its National Office in Washington, D.C., honoring the 2023–2025 FamilyU Cohort. The event will spotlight bold strategies and real impact from colleges and universities driving innovation for parenting students.
Media are invited to attend in person to capture live or taped coverage, including cohort presentations, student parent reflections, and formal recognitions. Virtual interviews with Generation Hope leadership, student parents, or higher ed partners are also available on a rolling basis by request. To RSVP or schedule interviews, contact press@generationhope.org or call 202-735-1339.
FamilyU in Action: 2023–2025 Cohort Impact
FamilyU provides institutions with coaching, resources, and technical assistance across four core pillars: data, policy, people, and culture. Highlights from the 2023–2025 FamilyU Cohort include:
Howard Community College (MD): 78% of student parents now say campus changes support their success—a 20% increase. The college awarded $139,987 in scholarships, added 10 lactation rooms, 25 parent parking spaces, 2 study rooms, and expanded child care to serve 29 student parents.
Dallas College (TX): Identified 16,380 student parents in 2023–24; 95% of Family Care Program participants persisted from fall to spring. Launched seven parenting supports—including drop-in childcare and family spaces—and trained 355 faculty in a seven-session series.
Hudson County Community College (NJ): Identified 9,731 student parents through admissions and intake forms. Implemented a campus-wide lactation policy and created a 15-member Student Parent Task Force with 20% student parent representation.
Jackson State University (MS): Created four student parent data tools and drafted a Children on Campus policy. Installed a lactation pod, published a child care provider list, added child-friendly dining options, and reserved child care slots at the on-campus center.
College Unbound (RI): Awarded 312 college credits to 29 student parents for Family Caregiving through Credit for Prior Learning. Adopted a flexible grading policy, created a student parent staff role, and launched SPARC—a virtual advocacy center led by student parents.
New Cohort Impacts and the FamilyU Seal
The 2025–2027 cohort will build on this momentum by designing and implementing their own strategies for parenting student success, supported by Generation Hope’s expert coaching and learning community.
In addition to the FamilyU program, Generation Hope offers the FamilyU Seal—a national certification for higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate exceptional, measurable commitment to parenting students. Recipients gain national visibility and are eligible for unrestricted awards of up to $25,000.
Last year, the FamilyU Seal was recognized by Fast Company in its 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards, honoring the program’s leadership in advancing equity and systems change in higher education.
Applications for the 2025 FamilyU Seal are open through July 15, 2025.
About Generation Hope
Generation Hope is a nonprofit providing direct support and national advocacy and research for student parents in college.
About FamilyU
FamilyU is Generation Hope’s higher education technical assistance and capacity-building program that helps colleges and universities implement evidence-based, family-inclusive strategies to support parenting students and improve outcomes across campuses.
About the FamilyU Seal
The FamilyU Seal is a national certification awarded to higher ed institutions and nonprofits that are leading the field in parenting student success. Through a rigorous evaluation process, the Seal identifies and elevates institutions making measurable change for student parents.
Learn more: www.generationhope.org/familyu
Media inquiries: press@generationhope.org | 202-735-1339