This document exists to help students through a significant time in their lives. It is helpful for you as a faculty or staff member to familiarize yourself with the location of this document if a student would come to you in need of assistance in relation to pregnancy during their schooling.

Student parents are more likely to use academic supports more often. It can help to familiarize yourself with services available to students and how to recognize when a student is struggling to help refer them to resources. 

How to recognize struggling students:

• Poor time management

• Avoiding interactions or getting distracted during lectures

• Showing signs of frustration, anger, or anxiety

• Changes in attendance or showing up late

• Not turning in assignments

Know the unique stressors faced by student parents: 

Student parents are more likely to experience:

• Isolation and disconnection from campus

• Difficulty balancing life commitments: family time, childcare, coursework, employment

• Increased stress and anxiety

• Guilt related to not spending as much time as they would like with their children

• Challenges with finances or access to basic needs

• More likely to be facing food insecurity

• More likely to experience distress and panic attacks

How to help student parents: 

Incorporate flexibility for student parents:

• Offer asynchronous learning options to help student parents complete their coursework when it better suits their schedule

• Consider flexible attendance policies and excused absences for student parents who may be navigating unforeseen challenges with childcare, sickness, transportation, etc.

• Facilitate opportunities for student parents to connect with each other outside of class

• Offer virtual office hours

Be able to help connect your student parents to campus and community resources such as Pierpont's Support Services: access@pierpont.edu | 304-534-7878.