The University of Houston-Downtown’s Gator Resource Center, under the direction of Associate Dean Hope Pacheco, is participating in Student Parent Month this September, highlighting events to support students balancing academic goals while raising children. The program advocates for a community where students can navigate their course load during pregnancy and parenthood.
The Senate designated September as National Student Parent Month in 2022, noting that about one-fifth of postsecondary students are parents. UHD serves a majority of commuter and first-generation students, some of whom are parents or expecting to be.
The Pregnant and Parenting Program addresses the unique needs of student parents at UHD, who make up part of the university’s population. The program will organize activities throughout the month. Coordinator Teena Bland, who joined Team GRC this past summer, said she hopes to plan engaging and exciting events moving forward. The events this month will include a Gator Glow-Up Wall, a baby-needs donation drive, a designated Gator Mart shopping day and a Gator Parent Coffee and Connect.
The kickoff to Student Parent Month celebrations will be Coffee and Connect, a casual drop-in event for UHD parents. It will be held Sept. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. The Gator Glow-Up Wall will serve as a place for students and faculty to leave words of encouragement and support to fellow Gators. The wall will be available Sept. 8-19 outside of the GRC (OMB/S292). Gator Mart will dedicate Sept. 15 as a shopping day for student parents, offering selected items for Gator families.
The Baby Needs Drive aims to collect essential items such as formula, diapers, wipes, blankets and new clothing. Donations must be unopened and unused. The drive will run Aug. 25-Sept. 26 with boxes set up around campus.
Overall, UHD’s Student Parent Month events are designed to motivate the student body to support and recognize their fellow students who face challenges beyond the curriculum.
“Right now, the biggest challenges our parenting students face are financial resources and time,” Bland said. “We want them to know UHD cares about their needs — not just symbolically, but through real support like food, scholarships and community.”
For more information, visit the Gator Resource Center (N210), email [email protected] or call 713-226-5245.
