About one-fifth of the U.S. undergraduate population—that is somewhere between 3.8 and 4.3 million students—are also parents, and nearly half of those identify as single mothers.
For years, pregnant and parenting college students have been described as the “invisible students on campus,” even though they represent between 22% and 27% of the overall collegiate population. The group also faces unique challenges with feelings of disconnection, and a higher likelihood of financial, food, and housing security barriers. On average, student parents are more likely to have higher GPAs than students without children, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found in a 2017 study; but these students are also more likely to face disruptions to their educational status.
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Emily Snyder serves as the director for the Department of Student Community Development at Stony Brook University, where she oversees a wide-range of functional units including Commuter Student Services & Off-Campus Living, the Center for Civic Justice, the Seawolves Pantry, Student Media Services & the University Radio Station. Snyder joined the Seawolves community in 2007. Throughout her career, Snyder has maintained a commitment to addressing the unique needs of special student populations, with a keen emphasis on student development and sense of belonging. Snyder has pioneered the creation of the university's lactation rooms, a passion project inspired by Snyder's own return to work as a new parent. These spaces are a reflection of institutional priorities pertaining to inclusion, support, and retention for student-parents and staff returning from parental leave. Through advocacy, mentorship, and partnership, Snyder and her team have been able to build nationally regarded support strategies that have a lasting impact on students and the communities they serve.
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Steve Chaplin is managing editor of ACUI’s The Bulletin and manager of the ACUI College Union and Student Activities (CUSA) Evaluation Program. A former newspaper writer, editor, and manager, he has volunteered as a student mentor as a member of the National Association of Science Writers, and received awards for his writing and reporting from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Kentucky Education Association, and the Kentucky Press Association.
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