Wichita State University launches support program for student parents

Wichita State University has launched the Parents and Caregivers Community Program, a new pre-orientation initiative designed to support student parents and caregivers. Part of the university’s Shocker Pre-Season programming, the online, asynchronous program allows participants to engage with resources at their own pace before the fall semester begins.

The program was developed following a spring 2024 workshop by the university’s Office of Online and Adult Learning. That workshop identified two critical needs among student parents: the desire for intentional community spaces with peers in similar life situations and the need to address feelings of parental guilt when balancing academic and caregiving duties.

In addition to the digital modules, the university offers “busy bins” containing age-appropriate activities for children to use when parents visit campus to meet with staff. The transition to a fully online format for the pre-orientation modules was made to accommodate students whose children are also starting the K–12 school year.