Graduate study is rigorous. Coursework, research deadlines, and late-night study sessions create significant demands. For many of our students, these academic challenges are compounded by the additional responsibilities of parenting, caregiving for family members, and managing households. This is not a hypothetical scenario; it is their lived reality each day.
These students redefine what it means to succeed in higher education. Their stories remind us that education is not always a straight, linear path. It bends, pauses, and sometimes takes unexpected turns. Yet, even in the face of these challenges, their ambition never wavers. Balancing coursework and caregiving requires extraordinary resilience, time management, and vision. It also brings unique strengths. Students who are caregivers know how to prioritize, how to advocate, and how to navigate complexity with compassion.
UMB's Student Success Center is dedicated to creating environments where students can build community, access support, and connect with peers who share similar experiences. For those navigating both academics and caregiving, this may involve exchanging strategies for setting realistic study goals, making use of resources such as the Student Pantry, or finding encouragement and accountability through peer networks.
Those interested in participating in a peer network program of student caregivers are encouraged to contact DL-SSLE@umaryland.edu for more information. Supporting caregivers who are also scholars is not only about helping individuals achieve their degrees but also strengthening a community of leaders whose empathy, resilience, and innovative spirit will shape their fields and serve society. Their success reflects both personal achievement and the enduring strength of UMB as a community committed to holistic student success.