When colleges and universities set out to better support student parents, one question matters above all others: Are student parents helping shape the solutions?

At Generation Hope, we know that meaningful change happens when institutions pair commitment with lived expertise. Through the FamilyU Cohort, our two-year institutional transformation initiative, campuses work to strengthen policies, practices, and cultures that support parenting students. The FamilyU Student Parent Fellowship helps ensure that work is informed by the people who understand it best.

Student Parent Fellows are more than participants in the FamilyU experience. They are leaders, advocates, and collaborators who help guide conversations about what student parent success can look like on their campuses. Working alongside institutional leaders, Fellows bring critical perspectives that help campuses move beyond assumptions and toward solutions grounded in the realities of balancing higher education and caregiving.

Throughout the Fellowship year, Fellows contribute to their institution's FamilyU efforts across key areas including data, culture, people, and policy. They also develop and lead an Advocacy Project that advances support for student parents and families within their campus community. In doing so, they help ensure that institutional change is not simply designed for student parents, but informed by them at every step.

Throughout the Fellowship year, Fellows receive compensation for their time and contributions, as well as support to participate in FamilyU convenings and connect with fellow student parent leaders from across the country.

Generation Hope is thrilled to welcome our fifth group of FamilyU Student Parent Fellows, who will join our 2025-2027 FamilyU Cohort: Angie Beck (Harris-Stowe State University), Sarah Dennis (The University of Houston Clear Lake), Tierra Queen (University of Maryland Global Campus). Each of the three Fellows brings a unique experience to the FamilyU Cohort as well as a passion for supporting and uplifting the student parents at their institutions.

Meet the Fellows leading this work!

**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 to 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 meaningfully impact 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.
Now serving as a Student Parent Fellow, Angie is a passionate advocate for fellow student parents navigating the steep institutional and financial barriers of higher education. She is deeply committed to ensuring that student parents receive the resources, encouragement, and community support necessary to overcome obstacles, unlock their potential, and thrive.

**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.
As a Student Parent Fellow, Sarah leverages her background in advocacy and community health to challenge the stigmas surrounding parenting students. She is deeply committed to working alongside institutional leadership to update resources, secure funding, and develop inclusive, parent-friendly programming at UHCL. By breaking down barriers, Sarah works to ensure every student parent has an equal opportunity to achieve educational success and a thriving future.

**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. Now serving as a Student Parent Fellow, Tierra is eager to contribute to meaningful systemic change, leveraging her background in social services to advocate for and empower fellow parenting students navigating higher education.

We are excited to have these student parents’ expertise and leadership help us drive institutional change for student parents and enrich our 2025 FamilyU Cohort.

Explore our website to learn more about theFamilyU Cohorts and our technical assistance work. If you have any questions, reach out to us at familyu@generationhope.org.