San José City College hosted its first Student Parent Summit on Friday, Oct. 2. The college invited students who are raising children to share what would help them stay in school and finish their academic programs.
The morning event in the Career Education Complex Auditorium included interactive sessions and an overview of campus resources. It also featured a panel of students from SJCC’s CalWORKs, EOPS, and CARE programs. A resource fair with SJCC programs and community partners followed in the CEC Quad.
“This is the first summit we have ever hosted,” said Fabio Gonzales, CalWORKs, EOPS, and CARE programs counselor/coordinator. “It’s an experiment for us, and what we learn this year will make next year’s event even better.”
The college brought in a contracted childcare provider for the morning so parents could focus on the sessions. Children were also welcome in the auditorium.
“We understand that being a student doesn’t mean your responsibilities as a parent stop when you come to campus,” Gonzales said. He encouraged parents to use childcare and to “give yourself permission to be present, participate, connect with other parents, and focus on yourself as a student.”
Dr. Beatriz Chaidez, chancellor of the San José–Evergreen Community College District, gave the keynote. She said speaking to students is her favorite kind of presentation, and the one that makes her most nervous.
“I care about you, so I want to make sure I give you my best,” she said.
Chaidez spoke as a Latina and a mother. She described the load many student parents carry long before they reach a classroom.
“You may be completing your homework after you put your children to bed. Maybe you’re working the night shift,” she said. “You may be experiencing a difficult separation, trying to be in a healthy relationship, facing homelessness or food insecurity, or caring for relatives. Sometimes you feel exhausted before the day even begins.”
She acknowledged the trade-offs. Sometimes parents have to study, she said, or miss something related to their studies because their family comes first.
“So I want you to hear this clearly: Struggling does not mean that you’re failing,” Chaidez said. “Asking for support doesn’t make you weak. Being a parent doesn’t make you less capable of earning a degree, growing your career, or becoming a professional.”
She said colleges share the responsibility for student parents’ success, and they had the opportunity to share their struggles and aspirations and ask questions; many did.
“Too often, institutions praise students for being resilient, but we don’t remove the obstacles you need removed in order to be successful,” she said. “That’s why these conversations matter.”
Chaidez told the audience she came to listen. She asked where the college is falling short and what changes would help student parents complete their degrees, graduate, and transfer.
“You are the experts in your experience,” she said. “Today we’re going to gain insight from you and hear your stories, so we know what we can do to better design our support for you.”
The Student Parent Resource Fair, open to the campus community, ran from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside the CEC Auditorium. SJCC programs and partners from across Santa Clara County and the City of San José shared information on childcare, food and basic needs, financial stability, family services, legal assistance, and health and wellness.
Participating organizations included the San José Public Library, Bay Area Legal Aid, work2future, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Child Care Resource and Referral program.
