KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 30, 2025

The Institute of Women’s Policy Research estimates that one college student in five is raising a child while in school, with few institutes of higher learning offering programmatic support. Kennesaw State University bucks the trend with its Children and Family Programs (CFP), which recently received two external grants that will help support student-parents.

Housed in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, CFP received grants from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) and from Atlanta nonprofit Nana Grants to start a new program.

Allison Garefino, research scholar and clinical director of CFP, said KSU is one of few institutions statewide to offer support programs for student-parents.

“These two accolades help amplify the voices of student parents and strengthen their relationships with their children,” Garefino said. “With more resources, they’re better equipped to manage their time, succeed academically, and graduate on time, outcomes supported by research on retention and graduation rates.”

The DECAL grant is specific to the CFP’s Two-Generation (2Gen) approach in which the University simultaneously helps student-parents and their children in areas of academic success and whole-family wellbeing. The $75,000 grant, one of just three awarded statewide through DECAL’s Community Innovation Grants initiative, runs for two years.

“With this grant, we’ll purchase resources that help build a stronger sense of community among student parents at KSU,” Garefino said. “One key initiative is hosting parent cafés, where student-parents can connect and support each other through shared experiences. These gatherings help them realize they’re not alone and foster valuable peer-to-peer relationships.”

KSU’s Nana Grants partnership launched just before Mother’s Day when the organization delivered Nana Packs, backpacks that provide student-parents and caregivers with age-appropriate activities to keep children safely occupied while on campus. Additionally, CFP has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nana Grants and GasSouth’s philanthropic branch to enhance KSU’s already effective programs that help students who parent cope with the rigors of college by making the Nana Packs available to anyone who needs them.

Wellstar College Dean Monica Swahn acknowledged the College’s commitment to community-building programs, like CFP, that promote student success.

“We are proud to champion innovative, family-centered programs that ensure our student-parents are supported not only as scholars, but as caregivers—because their success uplifts entire families and communities,” she said. “We’re especially excited about Dr. Garefino’s visionary leadership and the creative, research-driven initiatives she’s advancing through Children and Family Programs.”

– Story by Dave Shelles

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.