1 in 5

Ignacio Angel has decided to define for himself what success looks like as a college student and father of four. He faced setbacks to his pursuits for many years. The for-profit trade school he went to, which was later investigated for preying on vulnerable students, never delivered on promises of a job, and landed him in debt. He says he turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pressure and disappointment he felt, even as his high school sweetheart Lilly and he grew their family. A drug possession charge sent him to jail for a year. That’s when he decided to make a serious change. With Lilly’s help, he found a support system designed for fathers who want to pursue higher education called the Alameda County Fathers Corps. Reporter Steven Rascón follows his journey.

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Dr. Daria Willis has the qualities of a natural-born leader. Today, she brings her extensive education and her own experience as a student-parent to her role as president of Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. Daria had her daughter Lyric during her first year in college. She shares how keenly she felt the social stigma of being a single parent. It took a perceptive administrator to notice that she needed help with childcare, and thanks to the continued support of those around her, Daria graduated and went on to pursue both a master’s degree and a doctorate. She met her spouse Isiah Brown in graduate school, and they had two more children. Daria became a leader in the world of higher education, and in 2021, the Aspen Institute named Dr. Daria Willis an Ascend Fellow, recognizing her work and dedication to empowering children and families across the country. Reporter Sophia Fox-Sowell brings us her story.

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1 in 5 is back with a fresh batch of vibrant profiles of student-parents pursuing their education and excelling, while supporting families and working. Today, more than one in five college students are parents (22%). In these stories, we hear about their challenges, the creative ways they embrace collaboration, find unexpected solutions, and sacrifice to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

From Ascend at the Aspen Institute, 1 in 5 features in-depth conversations with student-parents and those who advocate for them in education, philanthropy, non-profits, and research—including Ascend’s Parent Advisors who inform our Postsecondary Success for Parents (PSP) Initiative.

On this special episode of 1 in 5, Marjorie Sims, Managing Director at Ascend at the Aspen Institute, sits down with two key collaborators in the work of supporting student parents: Chancellor of the City University of New York Félix Matos Rodríguez, and CUNY Mentor Coordinator and Ascend Parent Advisor Jesus Benitez. During this conversation, they reflect on the first season of 1 in 5, offer insights into what institutions of higher education can learn from these stories, and share their own lessons and inspiration from their work alongside students and their families.
 

Learn more about the student parents featured in our 1 in 5 series, find transcripts and photos of their episodes, and download resource guides based on each story here

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Shaquana Graham's family always held education in high regard, but she dropped out of high school when she found out she was pregnant at the age of 16. After that, raising her three children and keeping a roof over their heads became her first priority. While fighting through the darkest moments of her life — and with the help of her family and a program that helps lift families out of poverty — Shaquana committed to going back to school and raising her self-esteem. Reporter Sonia Paul chronicles Shaquana's journey back to the classroom.

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Yoslin Amaya Hernandez has faced a lot of obstacles on her way to becoming a college graduate. She came to the U.S. from El Salvador as a third-grader, had to care for younger siblings at an early age, and became a parent herself for the first time when she was still in high school. Finding the right supports has been key — from her partner, to a mentor, to finding a great program with wraparound services for student parents. Reporter Ava Ahmadbeigi shows us Yoslin’s evolution from disillusionment to dreams fulfilled.

Generation Hope uses a two-generation approach by surrounding motivated teen parents and their children with mentors, emotional support, and financial resources that they need to thrive in college and kindergarten.

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When Lesley Del Rio became pregnant at age 18, she faced shame and stigma — even from those who were supposed to be helping, like doctors and social service providers. Since that time, she’s made erasing that shame and stigma part of her life and work. Reporter Laura Isensee shines a light on Lesley’s resilience and strength as she leans on her family and a great coach to balance parenting, school and work even through the lows of the pandemic.

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Lynnette Coney had always dreamed of working in healthcare, but her educational journey was full of starts and stops. With multiple family caretaking responsibilities on her plate, support with childcare, parenting, and financial planning was critical. Reporter Lisa Bartfai details Lynnette’s setbacks and successes on her way to becoming a nurse. 

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Rashika Lee’s educational path was not linear, but in the end, it brought her to exactly where she needed to be. After several tries at postsecondary attainment while raising her son, she finally found a school that fit her needs — with educational, emotional and community support built into its programming. Reporter Elizabeth Gabriel and host Pamela Kirkland take us along on Rashika’s journey.

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Lorena Barton became a single parent unexpectedly, when her son was just months old. Facing a crossroads, she decided to go back to school in pursuit of a new career in nursing. Reporter Natalie Rivera illuminates Lorena’s journey — how with the support of on-campus resources and childcare, along with a community of student parent peers, she’s now moving toward her degree with confidence in a brighter future for herself and her child. 

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