National Student Parent Month: Meet Lolana
This September, we're celebrating National Student Parent Month by sharing the stories of the parenting students Kids on Campus was built to support.
Lolana Aikens is a mother of three and a business student at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. Her oldest daughter graduated from the University of Alabama, while her son attends Bethel University. Her youngest daughter, Rosalie, is enrolled in the Ray Ellison Family Center Kids on Campus partnership between Palo Alto College and AVANCE - San Antonio Head Start. Becoming a mother at a young age, Lolana had long believed that motherhood required putting her own educational goals and career aspirations on hold.
"I used to think being a mother meant putting my education aside," she said. "Now I understand that I can be both a devoted mother and a student."
That shift in perspective is why Kids on Campus matters so much to her. With Rosalie’s early learning classroom located on the same campus where Lolana takes her courses, she enjoys an opportunity many parenting students miss: the ability to check in on her child between classes. Lolana loves stopping by to say hello to Rosalie throughout the day.
"Being a student parent means showing my children that education matters," she said. "Every class I take is an investment in myself and in our future. I want my children to see that learning and personal growth do not have an expiration date."
For Lolana, returning to school was not only a way to invest in herself and build a stronger future for her family, but also an opportunity to plant a seed in Rosalie — hoping that early exposure to education makes pursuing her own education later in life feel natural and achievable.
It’s a message she hopes reaches parents at every stage of their educational journey, whether they are just getting started or wondering if it is too late to return to school. "Becoming a parent may change the path, but it does not have to end the dream," she said. "Regardless of your age, there is room for growth."
While balancing school, parenting, and work can be challenging, Lolana emphasized that her experience has taught her resilience, and it has shown her what she can accomplish with the right support system behind her. She encourages other parents considering pursuing their own education to research and explore all available resources and support.
We also asked Lolana what she is most proud of. “Being a mother,” she said. “I’m proud that I kept going. I’m proud of my children, and I’m proud that I’m investing in myself too. For me, this season is about growth, education, and becoming a stronger version of myself.”
About Kids on Campus
Kids on Campus is a national initiative led by ACCT and NHSA that connects community colleges and Head Start programs to expand access to on-campus early childhood education for parenting students. The initiative aims to establish 50 partnerships by 2030. Learn more at kidsoncampus.org.
