About SPO-WHO WE ARE

Student Parent Organization (SPO) was started in the Fall semester of 2015, when two Seniors in Sociology realized that Kansas State was lacking support services for students with children. These two students partnered with Non-Traditional and Veteran Student Services and hosted weekly meetings to discuss the unique challenges student parents face, as well as brainstorm ways to help student parents. In the Spring semester of 2016, Shannell Carroll-Douglas and Jordan Rinner took the reins as President and Vice-President of SPO. The pair worked closely to lay a foundation for which SPO could grow. That Spring, SPO held bi-weekly meetings and sponsored a family bowling night.

Now in it's second year, SPO has developed a clear mission. We are here to help our student parents succeed in college and at home, focusing on fostering the balance of academic achievement and hands-on parenting. We do this by providing tutoring, connections and recommendations for childcare at varying income levels, advocating for the rights of student parents on campus, facilitating fun activities for kids and parents to do together, and hosting adults-only events to give our members a break from the stresses of being a student parent. We work closely with the Veteran Students Organization (VSO) and the VSO is often included in our activities.

This past Fall, our members had the opportunity to participate in a Back To School meet-up, walking in the K-State Homecoming parade, tailgating the K-State v. KU football game, and partnering with Freshman student group Quest to throw our kids an awesome Christmas party. Our website is updated to include detailed information about daycare and assistance programs, and a calendar of upcoming SPO events.

We invite you to explore our site to learn more about SPO and all the exciting support services we have available to you!