New Family-Friendly Study Space on campus in the College Center
The Holistic Parent Support Program at Inver Hills Community College was established in fall 2025 via a Parent Support Initiative Grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). The program supports more than just the student by using a two-generational approach that considers both the student and their family. Rather than addressing the needs of children or adults in isolation, the program focuses on the interconnected well-being of the entire family system.
The program bolsters this approach by holding family-friendly events that highlight different dimensions of wellness; dinner is provided at each event. The college also created a dedicated Family-Friendly Study Space (College Center Room 255-259) and delivers specialized, individualized support for parenting students. A monthly newsletter keeps parents informed about program updates and upcoming events. In addition, grant funding allows the college to provide essential items such as diapers and wipes through the college’s Food & Resource Center.
More about the Family-Friendly Study Space
Located in the College Center in Room 255-259, the Family-Friendly Study Space is open to all parenting students. The space has three, separate dedicated computer workstations for students. The space features a large, safe play area for kids to keep them busy and entertained while parents study and complete homework assignments. The majority of the time the space will be staffed by a student worker. Parents cannot leave children unattended in the space.
Family-Friendly Study Space College Center Room 255-259
“It has been an honor to continue this work, and I am deeply grateful for the support of colleagues and students as we brought this program to life. Many people know that I am an Inver Hills alum. When I attended Inver Hills, my son was seven months old, and the encouragement I received from staff and faculty played a major role in my success. As a former parenting student, I understand how demanding it is to balance parenting, academics, and the rest of life’s responsibilities.
“The support I received as a student sparked my passion for serving this population. Returning to my alma mater and now being able to offer parenting students the same kind of support I once received is incredibly meaningful to me. I am especially excited to see the family-friendly study room open. This space would have been a game changer when I was a student. It provides a safe, dedicated place for students to focus on their coursework while their children have space to play, and it creates opportunities for parenting students to connect with others who share similar experiences. Seeing this space come alive feels like an important moment to celebrate as we move forward as Minnesota Valley College.”
Josie Neveu, MA, LPC Counselor Counseling Services Inver Hills Community College
“I became a parent at a young age and felt limited to opportunities and didn’t see a very bright future for myself. Later on, I found resources to be able to enroll in school while being a single parent and ended up graduating college and pursuing more education beyond that. Resources and parent support is what led me to a successful, educational journey.
“I take pride and supporting other parenting student students, and I can relate a lot to their stories. Being a part of creating a parenting space at Inver Hills has been very rewarding and exciting to see what the future holds for not only Inver students, but also the future of the children that get to enjoy the space too.”
Bailey Eaton-Bromely Parent Support Intern Inver Hills Community College
Student parent perspective: Jacob Dougherty
Jacob Dougherty
Age: 29 Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota High school and year graduated: Wiesbaden High School, Class of 2015 Inver Hills major and degree earning: Engineering Fundamentals A.S. Inver Hills scheduled graduation date: Maybe 2028 Inver Hills extracurricular activities: Not currently; will get involved in the Engineering Club once some things give way Transfer plans: Pursue an electrical engineering degree at a four-year school TBD Career plans: Work on space-related projects; studying planets, launching probes and rockets, hopefully someday get to go myself
Three words that describe you as a college student:
OPEN-MINDED. DETERMINED. COURAGEOUS.
Jacob Dougherty • Q & A
What motivated you to attend Inver Hills?
I was doing a four-year business degree online when I wanted to become a manger. I was watching reruns of Stargate, a SYFY show where they travel across the galaxy to different planets and stuff. I used to watch it a lot as a kid. I felt like that would be a cool job to have. I am not happy with my current job, so I decided to put my business degree on hold after almost two years and pursue an engineering degree to get involved in that kind of stuff.
I have a house in Cottage Grove and was looking at costs and making a plan. I realized I needed a lot of prerequisite courses, and they were not cheap. Inver Hills (soon to be Minnesota Valley College) offered the courses at a cheaper rate than the other places around. Also, it was located in the same city as where my job is. I was able to swap my hours to work at night in my same role to attend classes during the day. The possibility of discovering something in space that can change the course of humanity is enough for me to try to make this happen.
What advice would you give working parents thinking about enrolling at a two-year community college?
No better time than now. If you want it, you need to grab it. Don’t wait. If you wait, you might miss the opportunity—also, you will be a year older or so. I would say it gets harder the longer you wait. The more you get into a rhythm the more kids you have the more the kids need from you. And so on.
The responsibility of your adult life will not get easier, so just put your head down and start. If you really want it, you will make it happen. If you don’t want it that bad, then you will at least know because you gave it a go. You will not spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened had you gone back to college. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. Jump into it as soon as possible.
How are the Inver Hills Holistic Parent Support Program and Family-Friendly Study Space helping advance your college career?
The Holistic Parent Support Program is helping me because it helps me stay on track and motivated to do in school. The requirements are minimal and reasonable to achieve. The events help my kids and wife get a look at things I am doing and connect. Your biggest supporter is your immediate family. Getting them involved at least a little is critical to your engagement within the school. You can not do this alone, you will fizzle out and become a crazy person.
The Family-Friendly Study Space is very awesome. I have tried it out. It allows you to get some solid hours of studying in with the kids occupied, in case you have nowhere for them to go and have to watch them. Having a spot you know you can have the kids be occupied with fun engaging activities is great. I plan to use the study space when there is not child care option available for a couple hours of study time if needed. It is great to know it is there. I hope some other parents see the value in it and start to use it a lot.
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
ENGAGING
Student parent perspective: Danielle Kelly
Danielle Kelly
Age: 37 Hometown: South Minneapolis, Minnesota High school and year graduated: Roosevelt High School, Class of 2007 Inver Hills major and degree earning: Associate of Arts (A.A.) Inver Hills scheduled graduation date: May 2026 Inver Hills extracurricular activities: Not currently; will get involved in the Engineering Club once some things give way Transfer plans: Undecided Career plans: Current employed with Ramsey County as an eligibility specialist
Three words that describe you as a college student:
MOTIVATED. DETERMINED. COMMITTED.
Danielle Kelly • Q & A
What motivated you to attend Inver Hills?
As an adult college student and mom with three kids, I feel like it’s time to get it done and there was no better time to get my degree than now.
What advice would you give working parents thinking about enrolling at a two-year community college?
The best advice I could give a working parent is to keep yourself organized and don’t give up!
How are the Inver Hills Holistic Parent Support Program and Family-Friendly Study Space helping advance your college career?
The Holistic Parent Support Program has been extremely supportive towards me. Both ladies have been extremely helpful and understanding when it comes to my work schedule and just being a supportive person and understanding the things that as a parent we go through on daily basis. I appreciate having that support system outside of my family.
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
TRANSFORMATIVE
Learn more about the Holistic Parent Support Program and Family-Friendly Study Space at Inver Hills by contacting:
