Montgomery College Named Generation Hope’s “Exemplar” Institution for Serving Parenting Students

Montgomery College (MC) was honored this week as a 2023-2026 FamilyU Seal recipient and the “Exemplar” institution by Generation Hope. In its first year, the FamilyU Seal recognizes higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations that have made significant strides in supporting student parents. One of 13 higher education institutions chosen from a competitive field of candidates, MC was also selected as the group’s exemplary institution, which means the College will receive $25,000 to continue advancing its student parent work.

With an estimated 15% of MC students parenting while they study, the College is committed to helping support their journey to successful completion and post-completion success. This national certification celebrates their outstanding efforts in serving parenting students and achieving outcomes for student parents across the country.

“It’s an incredible honor for the College to be recognized as an exemplary institution by Generation Hope,” said Ja’Bette Lozupone, director of Student Affairs at Montgomery College. “The FamilyU seal not only represents MC’s achievements to date by dedicated staff, faculty and engaged student parents, but it also signifies our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion for all students at MC.” 

Lozupone co-chaired the ASCEND Parent Initiative Taskforce and has been leading Montgomery College efforts to better serve student parents. 

“We are truly proud to be acknowledged with this distinction as a destination family-friendly institution for parenting students,” Lozupone said. “With the monetary award, we will continue to invest in critical resources and 2Gen approaches that support the success of parenting students’ and their families while at the College, and beyond.”

Generation Hope has created the FamilyU Seal, a national certification for higher education institutions making significant strides in intentionally serving parenting students. In addition to certifying colleges and universities, the FamilyU Seal recognizes nonprofit organizations that are directly serving parenting students and in doing so are achieving outstanding outcomes.