The OCCFR Award for Outstanding Student Parent Support is presented each year to a UW-Madison faculty or staff member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to supporting parenting students.
The Award celebrates employees who have made a meaningful impact on the academic success and well-being of students balancing their education with the challenges of raising children. By fostering an environment of understanding, flexibility, and encouragement, these individuals play a vital role in helping student parents thrive in both their studies and family life.
Nominations
Timeline: Nominations open each spring and decisions are announced in early May.
Nominees: Any currently enrolled parenting student may nominate an employee. To make a nomination, use the Outstanding Student Parent Support Award Nomination Form (click the button below).
Instructions: Nominations can be up to 800 words in length and are meant to tell the story of the nominee from the perspective of the student parent, and explain what makes this person deserve recognition. The selection committee will review nominations for the following criteria:
- Demonstrated flexibility and understanding of the unique challenges and needs of parenting students
- Supported student’s balance of academic and family responsibilities
- Connected student to existing resources and support systems
- Created a welcoming and supportive classroom/department
- Offered words of encouragement and support
- Provided guidance for achieving academic or professional goals
- Created new resources, programs, or initiatives to support parenting students
Deadline for 2025 nominations: Friday, April 25th at 4:00 p.m.
Award Recognition
Nominees will be named and honored in the May issue of the OCCFR Parent Support newsletter. The Award recipient will receive a plaque. All nominees will receive a certificate and will be copied on a notification of their nomination addressed to their supervisor. All nominees will be recognized in announcements and press releases through the Office of Child Care and Family Resources and/or UW communication channels.
Recipients
2024 Roll of Honor
- Lesley Bartlett, Professor and Department Chair, School of Education – Educational Policy Studies
- Amy Claessens, School of Education – Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
- Ashby Fox, Professor, Law School
- Nancy Kendall, Professor, School of Education – Educational Policy Studies
- Kerry Kretchmar, School of Education – Curriculum & Instruction
- Angela Lake, Teaching Assistant, School of Education – Curriculum & Instruction
- Aleia McCord, Associate Director, African Studies
- Dr. Amy Trowbridge, Assistant Professor and Faculty Advisor, Forest & Wildlife Ecology
Questions?
Jaime Kenowski
Position title: Parent Resource Specialist
Email:
jaime.kenowski
Phone: (608) 265-9123