Creating HOPE: A Holistic Model to Increase Belonging Among Parenting Students

• Published in: Teachers College record (1970) 2024-06, Vol.126 (6-7), p.24-45
• Main Authors: Hoiland, Sarah L., Lee, JungHang, Valdés-Portela, Norberto Michel Hernández
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult learning; Child Rearing; Community College Students; Community colleges; Control Groups; Holistic Approach; Parents & parenting; Pregnant Students; Summer Programs
• ISSN: 0161-4681; 1467-9620
• DOI: 10.1177/01614681241285740

Background/Context: The Holistic Oasis for Parents’ Education (HOPE) Program is an on-campus summer program designed to serve the whole student with a three-dimensional support model. Low-income, Black, and Hispanic parents experienced some of the most egregious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reflects the demographics of one in three Hostos Community College students. This five-year National Science Foundation grant–funded research program provides crucial support and research on an underserved and understudied group in higher education: pregnant and parenting students. Purpose of Study: The purpose of this paper is to describe the history and context of parenting students at Hostos Community College, to describe the HOPE three-dimensional (3D) model, to provide some preliminary findings on belonging from our first two cohorts, and to share challenges and future directions. Research Design: This study utilizes a mixed methods approach that includes qualitative and quantitative research with each HOPE cohort of parenting students and quantitative research with a quasi-control group of parenting students. Conclusion/Recommendations: The research on belonging from the first two years of the HOPE Program demonstrates a positive sense of belonging to the program and to their peers in the program. The HOPE 3D model stands as an example of effective holistic programming for pregnant and parenting students but could be adopted or adapted for other groups of underrepresented students.