Reducing barriers for student parents at TU

Student parents at Towson University (TU) and Towson University in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) navigate the dual challenges of academic pursuits and parenting responsibilities. From dedicated workspaces for families to financial support for child care, TU and TUNE hope to foster environments that empower students to thrive in their studies and their roles as caregivers.

As part of this support, TU introduced the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program in 2023, which provides TU and TUNE student parents with resources they need to attend classes and complete their degree programs while balancing multiple responsibilities. Some of the services include child care subsidies, academic assistance, family study rooms, textbook loans and starter kits.

We understand the unique challenges of balancing both roles, and we aim to make this journey a little bit easier.

Kimberly Mocombe

“Being a parent doesn’t mean your journey is over or that your dreams are out of reach. We recognize the importance of equity. Our goal is to provide meaningful resources to support you as a student and a parent,” says Kimberly Mocombe, project coordinator for the CCAMPIS grant and student child care services. “We understand the unique challenges of balancing both roles, and we aim to make this journey a little bit easier. We want to remind you that you matter, that you have a right to occupy space on this campus, and that you are just as deserving of a fulfilling college experience as anyone else.”

Below, four student parents shared their personal experiences as student parents at TUNE and TU.

Natalie Brownlowe ’25

Commuting from West Virginia to pursue her degree in mathematics with a concentration in applied mathematics, Brownlowe is working toward graduate school. She finds that even though it’s difficult to juggle the responsibilities of being a mom and a student, the university and her professors have been extremely supportive. Resources like The Hub and CCAMPIS have played an integral role in her experience.

“It’s hard to not compare yourself to other students, and being a parent can be isolating,” she says. “Since becoming a part of the CCAMPIS program, I’ve learned that I’m not alone and there’s more students like me around the university.”

Brownlowe is working toward starting a student parent club to continue building the comradery among student parents and to remove that feeling of loneliness from others across campus.

Christina Tavel ’25 

A sociology-anthropology major with a concentration in criminal justice, Tavel chose TUNE because she was looking for an opportunity to advance her career, and TUNE’s location works well for her family. On top of handling all the challenges associated with being a parent and a student, Tavel also faces the stress of navigating time at home with a family and balancing schoolwork with family responsibilities. She notes, “The staff at TUNE wants students to succeed. We get to know our professors on a more personal level because of the small class sizes, and the support they provide is monumental in me doing well.”

As a member of CCAMPIS, Tavel benefits from the Chromebook loaner, child care support and textbook loaner aspects. The people she works with, including Mocombe, “are great at helping people understand the program. They’re super responsive, and they make TUNE students feel connected despite our distance from the main campus.”

When reflecting on her time as a student parent, Travel says, “It’s not impossible. It definitely feels overwhelming and stressful in the moment, but as you get closer to the end, the weight seems to lift more.”

Alaki Ani Wellington ’27 

In addition to using her degree in psychology to become a counselor upon graduating, Wellington is focused on being a source of motivation for her four children. She says, “When [your kids] see you juggling responsibilities and trying hard and being committed, they’re encouraged. I want my kids to know that it’s never too late and you can always pursue your passions.”

I want my kids to know that it’s never too late and you can always pursue your passions.

Alaki Ani Wellington

Wellington chose TUNE because of proximity to her home, and while the commute is short and the professors have been understanding, she faces her own unique challenges. “I don’t have enough time for myself, my kids and my family—so I have to know what’s important. It’s all about consistency and being committed.”

To juggle her responsibilities, Wellington purposefully spends a little time on herself to destress, sets up times for her family to do their homework together and spends every Saturday watching a movie or hanging out with her family.

Dajaha Kenney ’24, ’26 

Kenney started her time at TU alongside her husband and earned a degree in cell and molecular biology with a molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics minor. Now pursuing her master’s degree in biology, Kenney continues to strive to find the balance needed to achieve academically and support her family.

“It’s never easy, but the end goal is what I’m passionate about,” Kenney says. “I just want to be an example for my daughter, especially as a woman of color. I want to be a model, so she knows she can do anything she wants.”

The CCAMPIS grant has helped. Not only has it alleviated a financial burden and some stress that comes with that, but it has also provided a community. Kenney says, “Before CCAMPIS, I didn’t know many other parents at TU, so I felt very alone in my academic journey. I now have friends that I can relate to and lean on for support and vice versa.”