Empowering Parenting Students
WHAT IS CHAMPS?
C.H.A.M.P.S. stands for Career Help and Mentoring for Parenting Students. It’s an initiative designed to support student parents while they are pursuing their education. Parenting students often juggle academics, employment, and caregiving responsibilities—C.H.A.M.P.S. aims to ease that burden by offering:
- Career guidance and internship opportunities
- Peer mentorship and leadership development
- Access to supportive services
- A strong network of fellow parenting students
The goal is to empower parenting students to thrive academically and professionally while building a community of support.
C.H.A.M.P.S. fills a critical gap by offering tailored resources and mentorship to RCC’s parenting students. C.H.A.M.P.S helps students to learn how to balance education and family life. We will work you to help find the resources you need to be successful. RCC serves a diverse parenting student population or student parent. Yet, parenting students often face:
- Limited access to affordable childcare which limits the types of classes they can take
- Transportation problems
- Financial stress
- Time Constraints
- Isolation from traditional student life
C.H.A.M.P.S. connects parenting students with internships and leadership experiences that align with their career goals:
- Paid internships with flexible hours
- Leadership workshops focused on time management, advocacy, and communication
- Opportunities to lead peer support groups or serve as student ambassadors
- These experiences build confidence, enhance résumés, and prepare students for postgraduation success.
- Peer mentorship programs that pair new parenting students with experienced ones
- Networking events with alumni, employers, and community leaders Online and in-person support circles to share resources and encouragement.
- This network helps students feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Many student parents face unique challenges, including financial strain and childcare needs, making support systems crucial for their success.
CHAMPS advocates for and connects students to services such as:
- On-campus study spaces
- Emergency resources (connecting with community help)
- Academic coaching and flexible scheduling
- At least 1 in 5 college students is a parent, and 42% of student parents attend community colleges.
- Many student parents face unique challenges, including financial strain and childcare needs, making support systems crucial for their success.
Find the right child care for your family
Explore programs that fit your schedule, budget, and your child’s needs. Use your phone or computer to search nearby providers, check availability, and compare quality at a glance.Are you and your family in need of childcare? Use this search tool as a starting point to locate potential providers near your home.
CAPS (College Attainment for Parent Students)
The CAPS Program is a statewide initiative designed to improve educational and economic outcomes for parent-students across all 23 Virginia Community Colleges. Building on a successful pilot launched across five campuses from September 2023 through June 2025, CAPS provides comprehensive, high-touch support tailored to the unique needs of students balancing college, work, and parenting.
Through personalized coaching, wraparound services, and targeted financial assistance, CAPS helps parent-students overcome barriers, manage the demands of college and childcare, and stay on track toward their educational and career goals.
Learn more about CAPS