November 2025

Student Parent Community Gathering Recap

Student parents gathered this fall for an empowering conversation focused on connection, community, and sharing the realities of balancing school, work, and family life at UIC. The event created space for parents to celebrate their strengths, exchange campus tips, and learn about available supports. 

Parents shared practical strategies that make a difference, from using Google Calendar to stay organized and sensory bins to keep young children engaged during study time, to reaching out to professors, advisors, and peers for understanding and flexibility. 

UIC resources highlighted included: 

• Little Sparks Program 
• Office for Access and Equity (OAE) 
• Women’s Leadership and Resource Center (WLRC) 
• Dean of Students Office 
• Wellness Center 

Welcoming spaces on campus that parents recommended: 

• West Campus- Library of the Health Sciences - Family Study Space (LL) and Lactation Bathroom (Main Floor)
• East Campus-
  • Dining Services in SCE 
  • East Side Student Rec Center 
  • Commuter Family Room & Pier Room (with a family corner) 
  • Bowling Alley  

Parents also reflected on how to include older children in campus life—through events like movies in the quad, sports games, and student activities—to help kids see themselves in higher education and feel part of the college journey. 

The discussion also surfaced important themes: transportation challenges, differences between colleges’ support for student parents, and a desire to build smaller parent networks within each college. 

Words of encouragement from parents: 

“You can do it—not all at once.” 

 “Take care of yourself—find what brings you joy.” 

Resources shared during the event: 
 🏫 Pregnancy & Parenting Resources – UIC OAE 
 💡 10 Self-Care Tips for Student Parents – Generation Hope 
 📖 Strategies & Innovations That Support Student Parents – Aspen Institute 
 📖 Strategies & Innovations That Support Student Parents – Networking 
 📖 Strategies & Innovations That Support Student Parents – Mental Health  
​​​​ 🎞️ View the Event Slides 

Effective and Time-Saving Study Resources for Student  

1. Academic Center for Excellence | University of Illinois Chicago 
   The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), one of UIC’s largest success units, provides comprehensive first-year programming and learning and support services to help all UIC students reach their academic goals. Through building supportive relationships, coaching, and academic skill development, transition coaches and academic specialists help students learn how to navigate UIC, form connections across campus, and develop the skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond.

2. Studying | Wellness Center | University of Illinois Chicago 
   The Wellness Center recognizes that studying and time management can be challenging for students. This resource offers helpful tips to support students in becoming more effective learners and making their academic experience easier and more manageable.

The Office for Access and Equity: Professional Development Series 

Nov. 19 — Office of Access and Equity Essentials: Navigating the Complaint Process 
This training session is designed for students and employees and will cover: 1. An overview of the Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
2. Understanding protected classes
3. Defining and identifying Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation and Sexual Misconduct
4. The Process-Reporting and Investigating Complaints

Presented by Donald Kamm, Shawn Levesque, Jane Li and Tramell Moore 

Zoom link 

Dec. 3 — Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations and Assistance at UIC 

The Office for Access and Equity is excited to announce the return of its Professional Development Series. They are relaunching a, and students with valuable training on workplace rights, equity, series to provide faculty, staff and students with valuable training on workplace rights, equity and campus culture. 

Presented by Donald Kamm 
Zoom link