SAC Receives Prestigious FamilyU Seal

Education and policy nonprofit Generation Hope awarded San Antonio College with the prestigious FamilyU Seal of Approval. This honor highlights SAC's dedication to supporting student parents and fostering a family-friendly campus environment.

The FamilyU Seal is a national certification awarded to higher education institutions and nonprofits that demonstrate exemplary, measurable efforts in supporting parenting students, said Lina Scott, scholarship coordinator at SAC. “Receiving it is a testament to SAC's ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, supportive campus for student parents.”

SAC’s efforts include a range of programs and services aimed at supporting non-traditional students, including dedicated parent parking, flexible class schedules, and access to on-campus childcare. The college also offers targeted academic advising, counseling services, and student-parent organizations that provide critical resources and a sense of community.

The certification was announced on Wednesday at the start of a parenting-101 class being held in the library, where members of the campus student parent support group gathered to celebrate National Student Parent Month and learn skills that will help them succeed in the home and at school.

Diana Ornela said that the weekly student parent support groups at SAC have helped her feel like she’s “not alone” as she navigates the stress of juggling school, children, and other obligations. “It gives me a sense of relief that I am not the only one struggling as I work to better myself,” she said. 

Scott said that investing in innovative programs helped parenting students not only succeed in their educational pursuits but also build pathways to economic mobility and brighter futures for their families. “Our resources for student parents address helping them overcome hurdles that could keep them from achieving their goal.”

Rosario Sanchez said that she has relied on SAC’s student parent support group leaders to help her access resources in times of need, including food, diaper, and clothing assistance.

“They have been providing so much for my whole family,” Sanchez said. “I feel supported at SAC because I know I  have someone I can go to and feel seen and heard. Now I try to get them involved [in the support group] because it’s really helpful to even just get together at the KidSpot [in the library] and feel like we have a community.”

SAC is one of six awardees to receive the FamilyU Seal, which included two nonprofit organizations and four higher education institutions. The first cohort of institutions awarded was in 2023, with Alamo Colleges District’s Palo Alto College among the recipients.

“We are so proud of the work we do at SAC, and we are proud to celebrate it,” Scott said.

For more information on SAC's family-friendly initiatives, visit http://vwj.dbayscpa.com/sac/experience-sac/current-students/student-parents