Pregnant and Parenting Student Resources
Supporting Your Success at Garrett College
Contact for Assistance
Title IX Coordinator
Shelley Menear
Director of Institutional Compliance
Office: TECH-327
Phone: 301-387-3037
Email: shelley.menear@garrettcollege.edu
Garrett College is committed to supporting students who are pregnant, experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, or parenting children. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access to educational opportunities, providing supportive resources, and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Whether you need academic adjustments, information about available resources, or assistance navigating support services, we are here to help.
Students are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible to discuss available support, accommodations, and resources.
Know Your Rights
Garrett College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, recovery from pregnancy-related conditions, parental status, marital status, or family status. Students have the right to continue participating in educational programs and activities while receiving appropriate support and accommodations.
As a pregnant or parenting student, you may be eligible for:
- Reasonable modifications to academic programs and activities.
- Excused absences for pregnancy-related medical appointments.
- Medically necessary leave of absence.
- Access to private lactation spaces.
- Academic adjustments following childbirth, adoption, or foster placement.
- Protection from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Pregnancy-Related Accommodations and Modifications
Students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions may request reasonable modifications to ensure continued access to their education.
Examples of modifications may include:
- Breaks for eating, drinking, breastfeeding, expressing milk, or restroom use.
- Intermittent absences for medical appointments.
- Flexible attendance arrangements.
- Access to virtual or online learning opportunities when appropriate.
- Changes in class schedule or course sequence.
- Rescheduling tests and examinations.
- Extended deadlines for assignments and coursework.
- Modified classroom seating or workspace arrangements.
- Elevator access and other campus accessibility adjustments.
Students should contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss their individual needs and available support options.
Parenting Student Support
Garrett College recognizes the unique challenges faced by students with parenting responsibilities.
Students who have recently welcomed a child through birth, adoption, or foster placement may request temporary academic modifications during the first three months after a child enters the home. Extensions may be granted when warranted by medical necessity or extraordinary caregiving responsibilities.
Possible support measures include:
- Modified assignment deadlines.
- Adjusted examination schedules.
- Temporary adjustments to course requirements.
- Academic planning and advising support.
- Degree completion timeline extensions when permitted by program requirements.
Leave of Absence
Students may request a voluntary leave of absence for a reasonable period of time due to:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Pregnancy-related medical conditions
- Adoption
- Foster care placement
Garrett College will make reasonable efforts to ensure students returning from leave are able to resume their academic progress at the same point they left and continue working toward their educational goals.
To discuss a leave of absence, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Lactation Resources
Garrett College provides the “Serenity Suite”, a private, safe, and functional lactation space for students and employees. This space is regularly maintained, shielded from view, and protected from intrusion.
To arrange access to a lactation space, contact:
Shelley Menear
Phone: 301-387-3037
Email: shelley.menear@garrettcollege.edu
Office: TECH-327
Financial, Child Care, and Health Care Resources
The following programs may provide assistance to eligible pregnant and parenting students.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Provides nutrition education, healthy food benefits, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services.
Maryland Medicaid
Provides health care coverage for eligible individuals and families, including pregnancy-related care.
Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP)
Offers health insurance coverage for eligible children and families.
Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program
Helps eligible families pay for child care expenses while pursuing education or employment.
Additional Scholarships and Assistance Programs
Students may be eligible for additional grants, scholarships, subsidies, or community assistance programs. Contact the Title IX Coordinator or Financial Aid Office for information about available resources.
Health Care and Support Resources
Garrett College can assist students with referrals to on-campus and community-based resources, including:
- Health care providers
- Counseling and mental health services
- Pregnancy-related health services
- Pediatric care providers
- Family support services
- Community assistance organizations
Students needing assistance locating services should contact the Title IX Coordinator, or visit the College’s Student Health Services page.
Adoption & Guardianship Resources
Students seeking information regarding adoption services may request referrals to community agencies and organizations that provide adoption counseling, information, and support services.
Maryland Department of Human Services:
- Adoption & Guardianship
- Private Adoption Agencies
- Licensed Providers
- Adoption & Guardianship Manuals
AdoptUSKids is a national project that supports child welfare systems and connects children in foster care with families.
Talk with a live specialist (Monday through Friday):
- Phone and email: 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- Text: 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Chat: 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
All times are Eastern. Hours may vary on federal holidays.
By phone or text
Please note: standard message and data rates may apply.
In English: 888-200-4005
En español: 877-236-7831
By email
In English: info@adoptuskids.org
En español: espanol@adoptuskids.org
Report Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation
Garrett College prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on pregnancy, parenting status, gender identity, sex, or related conditions. Faculty, staff, and students may not interfere with a student's rights under College policy or federal law.
Students who believe they have experienced discrimination or have concerns about their rights should contact:
Shelley Menear
Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 301-387-3037
Email: shelley.menear@garrettcollege.edu
Questions
All questions and concerns regarding pregnancy and related conditions and parenting and/or reasonable adjustments should be directed to Shelley Menear, Title IX coordinator at shelley.menear@garrettcollege.edu or 301-387-3037.