Learning is important at all stages of life, but when you’re a parent, juggling a job with your child’s schedule and needs, adding school into the mix might seem daunting. But Wor-Wic Community College works to make education accessible to all, so in addition to flexible scheduling, online and hybrid options, there are resources specifically for parents to make their educational journey easier.
Wor-Wic’s Parents Club helps student-parents feel like they are part of the campus community, an important aspect of staying engaged in education. The Parents Club offers family-friendly activities like trips to the National Zoo in Washington and Winterfest in Ocean City. It also hosts on-campus gatherings – a recent pizza party for parents showcased college resources. Education students from Wor-Wic’s Future Educators of America club entertained children while parents learned and socialized, and pizza for all eliminated the chore of making dinner for the night.
Kenya Thomas, who is taking a medical billing and coding course, appreciated having the Parents Club as a social support. The mother of little Breonna, age 1, says being a successful parent and student is all about time management. “I have to handle work and school, and I am careful to schedule around the time I need to be a mom,” she said. “Having a good support system helps.”
Parents Club president Melissa Ward of Salisbury agrees. Ward earned her associate degree in general studies in the nursing track at Wor-Wic, and now is preparing to enter the nursing program. “Balance is the key,” Ward said. “I plan vacations around school breaks and make sure to spend a lot of quality time with my kids.”
In addition to social supports, Wor-Wic offers financial resources as well. There are grants specifically to support student-parents, including one that funds child care for those in credit programs. The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education allows Wor-Wic to help eligible students pay for their children to be cared for at licensed child care centers.
“We’re excited, because this will be a benefit for many students who are parents. Having reliable, affordable child care can help them focus on their schoolwork,” said Melanie S. Windsor, CCAMPIS advisor. “It will allow students to get assistance with care for all ages of children, starting at infancy and going up to school-aged children who need before- or after-care.”
The grant coverage includes Wor-Wic’s own child development center, which is located on campus and has the highest level of accreditation, Maryland EXCELS Level 5, from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Windsor said the amount subsidized by the grant depends on several factors such as income and number of classes in which the student is enrolled. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 deadline is a good place to start, according to Windsor.
The Adult Learners Program also offers financial assistance and academic support to selected students. Mia Foster of Fruitland has two young daughters and appreciated the support when she decided to return to college after taking some time off to decide on her direction. “This token of support helps me so much,” she said. “It’s a cushion that helps me cover all of my obligations.”
Foster is a straight-A student working on a communication studies degree, and says she wants to be a role model not only for her children but also for others. Returning to school was the right choice, she said. “Being older, I feel a little wiser,” she said.
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- Kenya Thomas attends a Parents Club event with her infant daughter, Breonna Tillery, and Breonna’s father, Branden Tillery.
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- Parents Club president Melissa Ward enjoys time with her daughter Hannah, 6, at the club’s pizza party.
