Fresno State has been selected as one of only six campuses across all three systems (Community Colleges, CSU, UC) to participate in The California Alliance for Student Parent Success: Empowering Single Mothers & Parenting Students Community of Practice [CoP].

The team includes staff, faculty, and administrators from multiple departments:

• Melissa Norris — Parent Scholar Program Lead, Student Health & Counseling Center
• Alicia Nelson — Director of Wellness Services, Student Health & Counseling Center
• Larissa M. Mercado-López, Ph.D — Professor & Department Chair, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
• Brittney Randolph — Director, Programs for Children
• Christopher Hernandez — Senior Survey Research Analyst, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
• Sierra Estrada, Ed.D — Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Victoria Lee — Parent Scholar Representative

From September 2025 to February 2026, each participating campus, will receive technical assistance and support to:

• Implement the GAINS for Student Parents Act
• Strengthen data collection on student parents’ Identify and implement policy and practice changes
• Collaborate across institutions to track and improve outcomes for student parents

For additional information, email Melisa Norris at melissaw@mail.fresnostate.edu or visit fresnostate.edu/parentscholars.