Single parent orientation session set

OSU-OKC offers orientation sessions for single parents

Childcare provided during Aug. 24 event

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 15, 2019) – Navigating college life can be tricky for any student, but it can be even more daunting for a single parent who is trying to support their children while also working to earn a degree.

To help those students adjust better to college and provide helpful guidance and resources, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City is holding a Single Parent Orientation at 10 a.m. Aug. 24.

The event will be held in Conference Room South, on the third floor of the Student Center, 900 N Portland Ave. Breakfast will be provided and free, on-site childcare is available.

“We want these students to know they don’t have to take the weight of the world on their shoulders – we’re here to help,” said Joy Wieland, senior director of Student Support at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC). “We know that success rates are higher when students can leverage the resources that are available to them.”

Attendees can learn about the campus, network with other single parents and discover various resources available to single parents to assist them during the school year.

This is the second consecutive year such an event has been held on campus. OSU-OKC student and single mother Cheri Tointigh attended last summer, and said the session provided valuable insights.

“One speaker – I think she was a teacher – she was a single mom and said she had started out like us,” Tointigh said. “She was able to graduate, and to me, that meant what I’m trying to do is possible.”

Tointigh is pursuing an enterprise development degree. She is employed in the school’s work-study program as an office assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs.

During her time in school, she said she has learned that single parents should never be afraid to ask for help.

“I would encourage them to ask for resources, to try to find every support there is on campus,” Tointigh said. “There are a lot of different support systems here.”

Those interested in attending the Single Mother’s Orientation should RSVP by contacting Wieland at (405) 945-8687 or wieland@osuokc.edu. The deadline to RSVP is Aug. 19

For more information about OSU-OKC, go to www.osuokc.edu.

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For media inquiries:

Nick Trougakos, OSU-OKC – nick.trougakos@osuokc.edu – (405) 945-9196

About Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC) is part of the modern land-grant system of Oklahoma State University. OSU-OKC is a two-year public institution, offering more than 40 degrees and certificate options. Through quality education, a supportive environment, leadership training and service opportunities, OSU-OKC trains students to work and educates them to lead. OSU-OKC graduates are found throughout the community serving as police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, healthcare professionals and business owners. More information is available at www.osuokc.edu.