NASPA Online Learning Community

From Invisible to Invaluable: Recruiting and Retaining Student Parents in the Face of the Enrollment Cliff

From Invisible to Invaluable: Recruiting and Retaining Student Parents in the Face of the Enrollment Cliff

Includes a Live Web Event on 04/24/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)

This session reframes student parents from an often-invisible population to an invaluable cornerstone of higher education’s long-term sustainability. Participants will explore strategies and campus innovations that strengthen recruitment and retention of student parents in the face of the enrollment cliff, positioning them as essential to the future of our institutions.

Brooke Barrick

Associate Director of Parent Scholar Program

Howard Community College

Brooke Barrick serves as the Associate Director of the Parent Scholars Program at Howard Community College, where she leads strategic initiatives that support the academic success, retention, and holistic well‑being of student parents. With deep expertise in program development, advising, and student-centered operational design, Brooke advocates for the visibility and value of parenting students in higher education.

In her role, Brooke oversees the full lifecycle of the Parent Scholars experience— from outreach and intake to eligibility review, goal setting, individualized coaching, and ongoing academic support. She is passionate about dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect student parents and works collaboratively across campus departments to build structures that enhance access, stability, and belonging.

She has championed National Student Parent Month on professional platforms and continues to develop data-informed practices to shift institutional culture and drive policy change. With a commitment to equity, compassion, and practical innovation, Brooke brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges student parents face and a clear vision for how colleges can better support their success.

Components visible upon registration.