By Dr. Queena Hoang
In 2024, the Michelson 20MM Foundation’s Student Basic Needs Initiative sought to increase persistence and graduation rates by driving systems change, conducting research, and identifying policies to support student basic needs.
As we continued the Michelson Pregnant and Parenting Student Project, a platform designed to increase support of California’s pregnant and parenting postsecondary students, we celebrated the following successes:
Highlighting the “State of Pregnant and Parenting Students in California”
A Look at the Major Strides AB 2881 Has Made for Student Parents
Assemblymember Marc Berman authored AB 2881, which Michelson 20MM’s sister organization the Michelson Center for Public Policy co-sponsored. Its passage represents major progress in serving nearly half a million student parents across California’s higher education systems.
The bill’s author participated in our California State University (CSU) Student Parent Network to share insight on progress and implementation. Assemblymember Berman emphasized how the bill is designed to remove the barriers inhibiting academic success and degree attainment for student parents in our community colleges, CSUs, and UCs. In addition to bringing greater attention to their needs, the law grants priority registration for student parents and requires campuses to establish a student-parent webpage. It also necessitates that campuses provide more information to student parents about the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Due to its importance, Michelson 20MM hosted two webinars to highlight the impacts of this bill post-implementation. The webinars discussed key takeaways and lessons learned from practitioners and student parents who have benefited from it.
Passage of a New Law
Learning about student parent supports during the Student Basic Needs Sacramento Day
This year marked another pivotal time for student parents in California. On September 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2458, the Greater Accessibility, Information, Notice, and Support (GAINS) for Student Parents Act. It helps ensure 400,000+ student parents and their children are set on clearer paths to college success and multigenerational prosperity.
The act was co-authored by Assemblymembers Berman, Arambula, and Boerner, along with Senators Ashby and Limón. Co-sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy, the law is the first of its kind in the nation and a major victory for higher education equity. As a result, student parents will have enhanced financial aid access, institutions will automatically adjust a student parent’s cost of attendance to account for expenses such as childcare, campuses will uniformly collect and report data on student parents, and that data will be included in the Cradle to Career longitudinal data system.
Launching the Michelson 20MM California Student Parent Pooled Fund
In a landmark initiative to champion the needs of student parents, the Michelson 20MM Foundation was proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the California Student Parent Pooled Fund.
The groundbreaking endeavor addresses the unique challenges student parents face, promoting equity and systemic change for this often overlooked demographic. Our inaugural cohort included the following organizations: Early Edge California, Northwestern University, Three Frame Media, and Urban Institute.
Advancing a Sense of Belonging for Student Parents on Campus
In partnership with The Education Trust—West, we launched the CSU Student Parents Sense of Belonging Survey. The goal of the project is to increase understanding of and transparency around parenting students’ experiences and sense of belonging across the CSU system.
Later this week, Michelson 20MM, together with The Education Trust—West, will host “The State of Pregnant and Parenting Students in California: Fostering a Sense of Belonging at CSUs.” The event will dive into the report’s key preliminary findings. We hope that the report will help uplift promising practices and supports that foster and sustain a sense of belonging for parenting students. The goal is that institutions across the CSUs incorporate the practices within their own campuses.
Forging Multigenerational Supports for Student Parents and Their Families
Panel discusses “Raising Up”
This fall, we were proud to host the second annual “Forging Equitable Futures for Student Parents: A Statewide Summit.” The two-day event began at Regal LA Live on September 5th with a keynote address from Assemblymember Marc Berman. As he stated, “helping student parents will have a multiplier effect.”
The evening featured a screening of “Raising Up,” a five-part docuseries investigating the barriers students face when pursuing higher education. It also showcases the innovative leaders creating generational impact. Day two of the event featured attendees including advocates, practitioners, philanthropists, systems leaders, student parents, and allies from all across the state to learn about evidence-based examples of success stories and build connections to sustain this growing movement.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, we are committed to driving multigenerational change at the micro level within families. At the same time, we will inspire systems change within California’s higher education ecosystem and policy change at the state level. Michelson 20MM is excited to formally work with and support the CSU Chancellor’s Office to implement a systemwide initiative in support of pregnant and parenting students across all 23 campuses.
For student parents and their families, we hope to strengthen and create postsecondary and employment and workforce pathways. This will break intergenerational cycles of poverty and forge futures filled with economic opportunity and prosperity. Throughout the process, we’ll source solutions from student parents and the many advocates who have championed the importance of this work.
In closing, thank you to our partners, fellow advocates, and student parents for their unwavering support in driving these vital initiatives forward. Together, we are shaping a more equitable future for student parents and their families. We look forward to continuing this work with you into 2025. If you would like to get involved, please contact Dr. Queena Hoang, Student Basic Needs Senior Program Manager.
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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