UToledo Celebrates National Student Parent Month

UToledo Celebrates National Student Parent Month

Since 2021, September has been recognized by Congress as National Student Parent Month in celebration of student parents.

The Catharine S. Eberly Center has launched several student parent initiatives to support student parents and further develop UToledo's institutional structure of support, and will celebrate and uplift student parents throughout this month while working to raise awareness across campus.

"For us, it's a win-win," said Danielle Lutman, associate director of the Eberly Center, who launched the University's initiatives. "We're helping UToledo students build the communities and access the resources they need to graduate and we're honoring Catharine S. Eberly's legacy in the process.

"I'm excited to celebrate National Student Parent Month at UToledo for the first time and uplift our pregnant and parenting students. They work so hard for not only themselves but their families, and we love being able to assist them in their journeys."

UToledo's Student Parent Month calendar features several events through September, including a drop-in student parent message wall for student parents to share their wins and encourage other student parents.

Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 30, Student Parent Message Wall. Open from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Eberly Center Lounge. Share a moment when you expertly juggled the demands of college and family life. All student parents who participate will be entered into a drawing for a one-year family pass to the Toledo Zoo.

Thursday, Sept. 12, Family Resource Room Open House. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Carlson Library's Family Resource Room on the second floor. Stop by Carlson Library to see all that the Family Resource Room has to offer. The Family Resource Room is available to student parents during library hours and includes children's areas connected to a study space. Library staff will be available to talk about how to access the room as well as the infant care room. Light snacks will be provided.

Wednesday, Sept. 18, Student Parent Focus Group. Scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in the
Eberly Center Jane Conference Room. Join the Eberly Center and Admissions to talk about what you were looking for when deciding where to attend college. UToledo is dedicated to our student parents and want to make sure perspective students know we are a family-friendly campus. Lunch will be provided.

Sunday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 30, Raising Up Student Parents: Professional Development for Faculty and Staff. Virtual. All UToledo faculty and staff are invited to learn more about the experiences and needs of student parents through the five-part docuseries Raising Up, which can be completed either all at once or in segments throughout September.

Sunday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 30, Diaper Drive. Drop off at the Eberly Center. Throughout September, the Eberly Center will be collecting diapers for UToledo student parents. Since starting student parent initiatives, the Eberly Center has hosted a diaper bank receiving donations from individuals and organizations when possible. We are especially interested in collecting sizes 3 to 5.

Larger packs of diapers will be divided into packs of 25. For every 25 diapers donated, individuals will receive one raffle ticket for an Eberly Center Swag Basket. Swag baskets include: a Rocksy cross-body bag, basketball and soccer stress balls, Chapstick, pen and hair tie.

For more information, visit the Eberly Center's National Student Parent Month website.