Balancing Books and Babies
Addressing the unmet needs of CAU's parent scholars
Picture this: You have a group project meeting at 7 pm, an exam the next morning, and a daycare provider that clocks out at 5 pm.
For student parents at Clark Atlanta University, this isn't just a hypothetical scenario; it is their reality.
Balancing coursework while navigating the demands of parenthood and adulthood is a full-time commitment, leaving no room for campus involvement or personal hobbies. Student parents are an often overlooked group at Clark Atlanta University, consisting of both graduate and undergraduate students. While these students may be seen as unconventional, they are the true embodiment of CAU’s alma mater: “Find A Way or Make One.”
As a student-parent, it is important to foster community. Yazmin Ramos, known as the “40-ish 4.0 Scholar,” has done
just that, making a name for herself on campus through TikTok.
Ramos moved from New York to Atlanta with little support and just her son by her side. After finally getting fed up with being at CAU, and not being within the same age range as her peers, she embraced it, branding herself as the 40-ish scholar, in hopes of inspiring students and older women to pursue their education despite how it may look.
She describes balancing studying as a full-time scholar, parenting, and working a job as “the most arduous thing she's ever done," emphasizing the dedication it takes to excel in all areas, rather than just getting by.
She also describes her disappointment coming to CAU and not having any resources pertaining to childcare. In fact, when inquiring about potential resources for parent scholars, she says she was met with a resounding “No,” partially because parent scholars are supposed to have the same resources as any other students. But scholars like Ramos don’t have the same needs as other students—and a lack of institutional infrastructure and resources to support student parents leaves scholars like her not only feeling inconvenienced but also overlooked.
According to Prof. Jessean Banks, Assistant Professor of Psychology, although he's only taught a few scholar parents , their academic focus is noticeable in comparison to their peers. Banks meets students with empathy and accommodation, urging everyone else to do the same. He notes how commendable it is to pursue a degree by any means possible and goes on to say how his respect and admiration for these students has grown during his time teaching at CAU.
On the lack of resources for student parents and the dismissive attitude they are occasionally met with, he notes that we should have more resources for the student body as a whole—student parents included. Teachers are obligated to make accommodations for all students, he says, adding, “Once they're in your class, I believe they're your responsibility. It's on you [as a teacher] to provide all the necessary tools they need to be successful in your class.”
The call for institutional accountability raises a larger question: If the problem is a lack of resources, what is the solution?
Krystal Whyms, a graduate student, the official graduate representative of the Whitney M. Young School of Social Work, and a full-time mother said she's dedicated to creating an organization for parent scholars called CAU Scholar-Parents.
While she says she’s blessed to have a support system from her department to her partner, she's committed to showing up and making space for those who may not.
In describing her overall experience at CAU, she notes her disagreement with strict classroom policies, particularly rules against bringing children to class, emphasizing that when a child is present, it is out of necessity, rather than choice.
Both Ramos and Whyms highlighted the need for an on-campus childcare program, suggesting it could operate via student work-study opportunities involving CAU's Education or Social Work departments. Both students spoke on the importance of this accommodation and how it would alleviate the issue of having to bring their children to class in the event of an emergency.
Whyms notes that the driving force behind making the organization lies in her not wanting parents to feel as lonely as she did in undergrad. Beyond that, she wanted to give parents a space to connect and speak freely without judgment or misunderstanding. The idea started with someone mentioning having children, which sparked a conversation with three more people, leading Whyms to make a group chat, a group, and now working towards becoming an established student organization.
While the need for more inclusivity for parent scholars remains a vital necessity, her pioneering work as a trailblazer has successfully opened the door for conversation, connection, and a lasting sense of community for student parents at Clark Atlanta University.
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