Staff Members Promote CSM's Mothers Living & Learning Program

Two College of Saint Mary staff members recently promoted the University’s Mothers Living and Learning (MLL) program during a community chat presented by the National Student Parent Support Symposium. The event is hosted by Ohio State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Larissa Buster, director of Residence Life, and Dr. Barb Treadway, assistant dean of support services, virtually presented to about 35 to 40 people representing colleges and universities across the country.

CSM’s MLL program is a unique opportunity for single mothers to pursue college degrees while living on campus with their children. Madonna Hall offers suite-style shared living with four bedrooms, a private bathroom, refrigerators, and sinks. CSM also assists all single parents, living on or off-campus, through the Single Parent Success program.

“Not all schools have housing, and if they do, it is usually apartments, and there’s no oversight or community learning that’s a part of it,” Treadway said.

The CSM staff members received positive feedback on their presentations. “Your chat was very informative, and the work you both do at College of Saint Mary is beyond impressive,” an email Treadway and Buster received read. “We have never received the number of questions that we received today during your community chat.”

Both were encouraged to submit a proposal to present at the 2023 Student Parent Support Symposium’s national conference. Treadway and Buster are excited to share the MLL program with other institutions.

“Any opportunities we can share, we’re going to and want to. If other opportunities continue to arise, we’re going to jump on it to continue to promote this program,” Buster said. “We’ve done much work to get it to where it is now, and we’re still doing a lot of work. This is an ever-growing, ever-changing environment, but we are passionate about what we do. We’re excited to offer this information to others to hopefully spark something in them to create it on their campus.”

Treadway and Buster will also present to the Yes We Must Coalition, which is comprised of higher education entities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, on Feb. 22.