Empire State University Kicks off Month-Long Student Parent Celebration  

Have you ever needed a minute where your child is safely occupied so you can finish a task? Soon, SUNY Empire student parents will have this option – in the form of a virtual video library of SUNY Empire community members reading children’s books.  

“Our average age student is in their 30s, and probably has one or two children. We want to make sure that we’re letting them know we understand where they are,” said Director of Student Engagement Josh Boardman. “We know they’re busy people, that they may have full-time jobs as well as another full-time job of being a parent.” 

Creating community is at the heart of this initiative, which was born out of the newly-formed Student Parent Collective affinity group created by Director of Student Support Qu’ran Bell ‘21, ‘22. Bell, a two-time alumna, lived the student parent experience and knows firsthand the challenges and joys it brings. She references her friendship with alumna and Empire State Opportunity Program Asia Moore while both were in school, and how it carried her through to the finish line. 

“The key for me getting through my time here was meeting like-minded people,” Bell said. “I always say Asia Moore became one of my best friends, because we were both moms going through the same thing together. I’m hoping someone comes from this getting that same experience of knowing ‘this school supports me as a parent, and I met a lot of people going through the same thing I’m going through.’” 

With support from the Offices of Student Engagement and Support, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni across the university, the story reading initiative was launched with several other events for a month-long student parent celebration. 

“The number one goal is growing community,” said Bell. “Every student here is always looking for community, no matter what background they come from. This is also something students have asked for – we’ve always gotten the feedback that parents are looking for support. This is [us] answering the call, and trying to meet them where they’re at.” 

So far, community members across the university have offered to read on camera for this project, including Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf. Some books will be read in English, and some in Spanish, to support bilingualism.  

“It’s a nice opportunity for students to bring their children into what they’re doing,” said Adrienne Sader, assistant director of student engagement. “I think for some people, by allowing programming where kids can be a part of it, it gives them a glimpse into what mom or dad is doing, and [allows them to] be a part of that in some small way.” 

Other community members, like Liv Thygesen, disability specialist, are putting their own twist on the reading videos. Thygesen plans to film a cooking video with her children to share with other parents. 

“Cooking with your kids is a great time to connect with them,” Thygesen said. “To learn what interests them, teach them valuable life skills and give them that one-on-one time they love.  Don’t let the chaos intimidate you. You’re doing something priceless, and messes can always be cleaned.” 

Another event under the umbrella of Student Parent Month aims to connect parents at area children’s museums across New York state for a day of play and community. 

“We thought it would be nice to have a space out in the community where our students and their families can meet up and not only enjoy the museum as something free for them to do, but also meet other parents in their area who are going to school,” Sader said. “I feel like the sky’s the limit if we can connect people locally where they are.” 

“I’m hoping that they’ll come out of this knowing what a supportive environment for parents and caregivers Empire is,” Bell said. “Maybe they’ll meet other fellow parents they can build community with.”