COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES’

COPPIN STUDENT PARENT ORGANIZATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Coppin Student Parent Organization 1

Mission Statement 2

The Founders’ History 3

Executive Board and Officers 4

Ongoing History 5

Membership Retention Data 6

Program Accomplishments 7A-7B

Chain of Events 8

Financial Summary

Future Plans

9

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COPPIN STUDENT PARENT ORGANIZATION

1

The Coppin Student Parent Organization (C.S.P.O.) is an organization that will assist,

promote, and encourage students who are parents to obtain their goals while attending

college. CSPO seeks to serve all Coppin State University students (male and female) who

are parents. Student parents who may even have foster, kinship, or adopted children are

also welcome to join CSPO. This organization supports student parents as they will be

given the necessary tools to be successful in their educational journeys. Student parents will

learn and acquire new skills that will help further endorse their educational experience

while attending Coppin State University.

Coppin State University (CSU) is one of the historically black colleges and universities

(HBCU) that provides educational access and diverse opportunities for all college students.

CSU also prepares its students for meeting challenges upon graduation. A number of these

students happen to be student parents that deal with the stress of finding a balance between

the responsibilities of home life and their academics. This stress often results in the students

discontinuing their academic studies. This is one of the main reasons why the Coppin

Student Parent Organization (CSPO) was established in the spring 2015 semester.

The CSPO help to bridge the gap that increases retention by assisting student parents as

they learn to find a balance. Through promoting and encouraging, the CSPO not only

reaches out to the CSU male and female student parents in need, but also to individuals who

can contribute to the success of CSU student parents. We welcome individuals who could

assist student parents with completing their studies and also with providing information that

target improving the quality of their daily living. Through monthly meetings and member

surveys, CSPO is able to identify the students’ needs and challenges that interfere with their

academic performance. The CSPO then implements the necessary resources to come up

with an effective resolution for those issues. A number of workshops, fundraisers, events,

and activities are offered to its members on how to enhance their knowledge and college

experience.

The Coppin Student Parent Organization welcomes all student parents.

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MISSION STATEMENT

CSPO’s mission is to assist students who are parents with making college more manageable

academically, financially, and socially. In addition, CSPO’s mission is to provide a strong

support system that encourages student success, increase retention, and promote student

engagement and active learning.

CSPO’s goal is to assist students who are parents with succeeding academically, learn about

resources on and off the CSU campus community, discuss hardships, assist with finding

resolutions, share encouragements and successes, and resolve issues interfering with academic

performance.

Coppin State University (CSU) provide educational access and diverse opportunities for all

students while also emphasizing its role in educating residents of Metropolitan Baltimore and

first-generation college students. CSU also prepares its students for meeting challenges in urban

communities. Due to the fact that a number of these students happen to be student parents

residing in these urban communities, can become frustrating dealing with the stress of finding a

balance between the responsibilities of home life and their academics. This often results with the

average student parent having to discontinue their academic studies. CSPO supports CSU’s

mission by helping to bridge that gap and increase the retention rate by assisting these CSU

student parents with learning to find educational balance as well as providing information that

targets improving the quality of their daily living.

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THE FOUNDERS’ HISTORY

As an academic advisor at Coppin State University for 13 years, I have experienced advising students

who went through the struggle of dropping out of school, being determined to get readmitted back into

college, drop out because they are pregnant or don’t have a caretaker for their children while going to

college. I saw myself in some of those students. These are our non-traditional students who are parents

and, in my opinion, the most challenged population besides disabled students. For years, I felt the need to

do something about it. So, in the beginning of the spring 2015 semester, I was given permission by the

Dean of the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, Dr. Beverly J. O’Bryant, to start the “Coppin

Student Parent Organization” (CSPO).

Ms. Denise T. Williams, M.S.

Academic Program Specialist

Co-Director, Academic Success Center

Founder & Executive Director (CSPO)

Adjunct Professor/Applied Psychology

& Rehabilitation Department College of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Phone: (410) 951-3564 (w) (443) 453-6227 (c)

Email: dewilliams@coppin.edu

Ms. Williams is an Academic Program Specialist and Co-Director of the

Academic Success Center in the Office of the Dean, College of Behavioral and

Social Sciences; she has been an Academic Advisor for 13 years at Coppin State

University since 1998. As an educator with 30 years of teaching experience, Ms.

Williams taught Elementary and Middle School, Freshman Seminar and 4

Psychology courses at Coppin State University. Presently, she is also an Adjunct Professor with the

Applied Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling Department. In addition, Ms. Williams is an

educational trainer who was professionally trained in January 2014 by the Center for Teaching Excellence

– “Time to Teach” Program as a consultant to train teachers on all levels how to manage their classrooms.

Originally from Harlem, New York, Ms. Williams is a proud alumnus of the State University of New

York at Stony Brook where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts (Psychology

Emphasis – Minor in Child Care and Family Studies) and earned her Master of Science Degree in

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling from Coppin State University. Ms. Williams is the Founder

and Executive Director of the “Coppin Student Parent Organization” which started in the spring 2015

semester at Coppin State University. Ms. Williams has also served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer

and now Historian of the PSI CHI Honor Society in Psychology (Coppin State University Chapter).

Furthermore, she is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional International

Honor Society, The Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Incorporated, and the National Academic Advising

Association (NACADA).

Ms. Williams is a single-parent who raised 3 sons. She is also a proud grandmother of a 15 year old

granddaughter, Nija. She enjoy teaching, assisting and empowering individuals, having special family

time, watching old movies, listening to oldies music, going to concerts, and loves seafood. Ms. Williams

most respected credos are: “Forward Ever, Backwards Never”, “Applied Knowledge is Power”, and “A

Student for Life”.

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EXECUTIVE BOARD AND OFFICERS

The governing structure of CSPO include the following (Executive Board in left column;

Officers in right column):

Ms. Denise T. Williams Ms. Jamie Bennett-Frierson

Founder & Executive Director President

Ms. DeChelle Forbes Ms. Marinda Williams

Editor Vice-President

Ms. Tykesha Reed Tanja Shields

Public Relations Facilitator Secretary

Ms. Sherie Johnson Vacant

CSPO Representative Treasurer

Ms. Gail Satchell

Administrative Advisor Ms. Betty Bland-Thomas

CSPO Representative

Ms. LaDina Alston Ms. Francine Blanding

Ms. Kathalene Greene-Cason Special Project Coordinator

Alumni Representatives

Ms. Joanne Sanders

Financial Administrator

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ONGOING HISTORY During recruitment, students are asked to complete a CSPO membership application, a

CSPO student survey (to capture the needs of the student parents at Coppin State University) and

they are given an informational CSPO brochure. Presently, CSPO currently has 143 members

and we are steadily growing. The members of CSPO raise funds in order to assist them with

book voucher scholarships, financial scholarships for college, tutoring, day care, Thanksgiving

and Christmas family adoptions, and we are researching other ways to assist based on the needs

of our student members. Our fundraising events includes bake sales, candy & dinner fundraisers,

and selling raffles. The activities and events for our CSPO members include workshops such as

Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills, Preparing for the Job Search, How to Manage Your

Money (budgeting), How to Deal with Stress, How to Deal with Difficult Professors, Time

Management and How to Study Effectively. CSPO’s community events include recruitment

efforts by setting up an organization table with the Meet & Greet Student Rehabilitation

Association and having a Christmas Celebration with the Abundant Life Towers II Senior

Citizens (collaborated with PSI CHI Honor Society) and preparing meals at the “Moveable

Feast” Program for the homeless, sick, disabled and less fortunate individuals. CSPO also hosts

activities which include the students’ children. They consists of a Back-to-School Donation

Drive (all donated school supplies go to the children of CSPO members), Halloween Event,

Midterm Study Session, Spring Celebration (Easter Holiday), Home Buying Seminar, Women

Empowerment Event, Fashion & Talent Show, and a Recognition Ceremony (children are

individually recognized with their parents for participation in the CSPO). In addition, CSPO also

have a “CSPO Children’s Library” located in the Organization Room on the 3rd Floor in the

Health & Human Services Building (all children’s books and workbooks were donated by the

Founder, Ms. Denise T. Williams).

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MEMBERSHIP RETENTION DATA

Freshman 13%

Sophomore 9%

Juniors 12%

Seniors 34%

Graduated 8%

Alumni 24%

Studies show that more than a third of college students are parents. Being a student

parent either increases the likelihood of dropping out of college with no degree or

extend the length of time it takes to graduate.

Coppin Student Parent Organization has blossomed over 2.5 years. Since its origin

in the spring 2015, we started with 4 CSPO Board Members and 1 student parent

member and today (spring 2018) we have 143 members. Of these members, 13% are

freshman, 9% are sophomores, 12% are juniors, 34% are seniors, 8% have

graduated, and 24% are Alumni. Out of the 32% of the members who graduated,

24% of the members are alumni who still actively participate in the CSPO. Our goal

is to continue to increase this number.

(See Pie Charts below which represents the Outcomes of CSPO Members).

13%9%

12%

34%

8%

24%

32%

The Outcomes of CSPO Members

Freshman Sophomore Juniors Seniors Graduated Alumni

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PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CSPO has helped many of Coppin students with various needs. Five students were assisted with housing. Four

out of the five students were assisted with buying new homes. Four students who were pregnant, was given a

baby shower. Three students were assisted with employment, two students were assisted with day care, four

students were granted book scholarships, nine students and their children were assisted with Easter activities

and baskets were given as gifts. Six students and their children were provided complete school supply

packages. One student and her family received Thanksgiving and Christmas donations. The CSPO are highly

enthused about all of the programs’ accomplishments thus far.

Student's Name Needs Semester Latoya Phillips Housing Assistance Fall 2017

Horace Coles Housing Assistance Spring 2017

Theresa Ekwutife Housing Assistance Fall 2017

Tangela Nore Housing Assistance Spring 2017

Tykesha Reed Housing Assistance Spring 2018

Ebony Fowler Baby Shower Fall 2016

Theresa Ekwutife Baby Shower Fall 2016

Nedia Marine Baby Shower Fall 2016

Rhonda Santos Baby Shower Fall 2016

India Spencer Jobs/Search for Jobs Spring 2017

Angelique Collins Jobs/Search for Jobs Spring 2017

Michael Ogletree Jobs/Search for Jobs Spring 2017

LaDina Alston Jobs/Search for Jobs Spring 2018

Latoya Phillips Day Care Services Spring 2017

India Spencer Day Care Services Spring 2017

Lakisha Barksdale Book Voucher Fall 2015

Clarissa Wilson Book Voucher Spring 2016

Consuelo Montgomery Book Voucher Fall 2016

Sharon Foreman-Dennis Book Voucher Spring 2017

Zeta Graham Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Consuelo Montgomery Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Ashley Jackson Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Tanja Shields Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Jennifer Dupye Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Josephine Asieon Easter Celebration Spring 2017

La Dina Alston Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Yvonne Green Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Sharon Foreman-Dennis Easter Celebration Spring 2017

Latasha Pettiford School Supply Packet August 2017

Consuelo Montgomery School Supply Packet August 2017

Nicole Bailey School Supply Packet August 2017

Dominique Stevenson School Supply Packet August 2017

Zeta Graham School Supply Packet August 2017

Cheryl Gross School Supply Packet August 2016

Rokea Spence-McCullough Thanksgiving Food Family Baskets Fall 2017

Rokea Spence-McCullough Christmas Family Adoption Fall 2017

Continue 7A

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CSPO understand how important it is to help students succeed in both their academics and

parenting. Educational achievement for students with children benefits the students themselves,

and the families they are raising. Research demonstrates that increasing parents’ educational

attainment yields positive short and long-term gains for children, in the form of higher earnings,

greater access to resources, more involvement in their child’s education and greater likelihood of

their child pursuing a higher educational degree (Miller, Gault, and Thorman 2011; Attewell and

Lavin 2007).

7B

CHAIN OF EVENTS

WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS Date

No. of

Attendees Speaker(s)

Resume Writing 9/9/2015 12

Linda Bowie, Director of Career

Development Services

Interviewing Skills 9/16/2015 15

Linda Bowie, Director of Career

Development Services

Time Management 9/30/2015 6

Denise T. Williams, Founder of

CSPO/Consuella Simms, Academic

Program Specialist

How to Study Effectively 10/3/2016 28 Denise T. Williams, Founder of CSPO

How to Job Search 10/5/2016 6

Linda Bowie, Director of Career

Development Services

How to Talk to Difficult

Professors 11/2/2016 20

Christopher Thomas, Assistant Director

of Center for Counseling & Student

Development

Dealing with Stress 11/10/2016 18

Christopher Thomas, Assistant Director

of Center for Counseling & Student

Development

Money Management 2/4/2017 15

Tykesha Reed, IT Training Coordinator,

OIT Department

How to Study Effectively 2/28/2017 15 Denise T. Williams, Founder of CSPO

Home Buying Seminar 3/8/2017 64

DanYelle Batts, Realtor/Ann Miller,

Loan Officer/Parrish Taylor, Insurance

Specialist

Women Empowerment Event 9/15/2017 31

Dr. Ozietta Taylor, Dr. Natalie Hart,

Tykesha Reed, Tamika Ashe, Sharon

Foreman-Dennis, Robyn Christian

Home Buying Seminar 9/27/2017 53

DanYelle Batts, Realtor/Kwe Parker,

Loan Officer/Parrish Taylor, Insurance

Specialist

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

FUNDRAISER SEMESTER/DATE AMOUNT RAISED

2015

Candy Sales Fall 2015 $343.00

Candy Sales Fall 2015 $61.00

Bake sales Fall 2015 $314.10

Dinner Fundraiser Fall 2015 $359.00

2016

Candy Sales Spring 2016 $230.00

Candy Fundraiser Fall, 2016 $56.00

Bake Sale Fall 2016 $176.85

Candy Sales Fall 2016 $120.00

Bake Sale Fall 2016 $169.00

Dinner Fundraiser Fall 2016 $281.00

2017

CSPO Fashion/Talent Show Fall 2017 $230.00

Bake Sales Spring 2017 $271.00

Valentines Gift & Bake Sales Spring 2017 $369.00

Valentines Gift & Bake Sale Spring 2017 $324.00

Candy Sales Spring 2017 $195.00

Bake Sales/Candy Spring 2017 $209.00

Bake Sales/Candy Spring /2017 $176.50

Bake Sales/Candy Spring 2017 $105.00

Easter Candy/Bake Sale Spring 2017 $293.00

CSPO has raised funds to assist Coppin student parents with many needs.

Over the past 2 years, CSPO raised funds was used to assist members with

the following:

Baby Shower Thanksgiving Food Baskets

Book Vouchers Christmas Adoptions

School Supplies Workshop/Event Materials

Other Incentives

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FUTURE PLANS

Future plans of CSPO events include a Power Panel Discussion where we have a panel of CSPO

members and guest speakers who can relate to specific issues and concerns and give positive

feedback that empower and inspire current members. A Parent/Child Tea Party will be hosted to

allow parents to teach their children proper etiquette when in a formal setting. They’ll learn the

names of different utensils, napkin setting, posture and poise. Parenting and Cooking Healthy

Workshops will be offered to focus on cooking, step by step recipes, demonstrations, and

nutrition education to combat obesity and other diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart

disease, as well as making healthier choices on a limited budget and lead more physically active

lifestyles. Vision Board Workshop where members create a board, displaying images of what

members want to do or be, to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific personal

and academic goals. The Parents in College “What’s in your Toolbox” Workshop will be offered

to provide members with toolboxes consisting of different materials suitable for the student parent

needs and lead to a successful quality of life. The Parent Resource Day will be planned in order to

invite local agencies/companies to share information about parenting, on campus and in the

community, by offering materials, activities, giveaways, video, speakers, etc.

My vision for CSPO moving forward is to recruit all of the Coppin student parent population as

members. The CSPO not only plan to reach out to the CSU male and female students in need, but

also to individuals who can contribute to the success of CSU student parents with providing

information that target improving the quality of their daily living, as well as, completing their

academic studies. Through continuing with monthly meetings, member surveys, and other types

of needs assessments, CSPO can identify the students’ needs and challenges that interfere with

graduating. We’d also like to become grant-funded and state-funded which will allow the CSPO

to have its own space on campus, purchase and cover all of the necessary materials and personnel

needed to help with the growth of the organization. The CSPO could also host activities and

events more frequently to effectively suit the needs of our student parents. We would like to

continue assisting our members with housing, employment, daycare assistance and in the near

future obtain a CSPO location in the Health & Human Services Building at Coppin State

University.

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