National Student Parent Month highlights achievements of CalWORKs students
To honor National Student Parent Month in September, CalWORKs spotlights student parents'
remarkable achievements. At Cerritos College, student parents form a vibrant, resilient
community and make up a significant portion of the student body. Many are single mothers,
students of color, and first-generation college attendees, determined to break barriers
and set new standards for their families.
Despite facing challenges such as food and housing insecurity, CalWORKs student parents consistently exceed expectations. Their academic success is clear: in the 2025-26 academic year, CalWORKs student parents earned more than 431 degrees and certificates. Their retention rate is an impressive 79 percent, surpassing the general student rate of 76 percent. With a 65 percent success rate, these parents prove that perseverance and dedication can overcome systemic obstacles.
A prime example is this year’s commencement speaker, Lynette Bautista, who endured an abusive relationship and chose to rebuild her life for herself and her two daughters. In 2024, she enrolled at Cerritos College to further her education and empower others. With support from EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs, Lynette maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned several prestigious scholarships, and transferred to California State University, Long Beach, with honors.
Each day, student parents like Lynette juggle textbooks and bedtime stories, lectures and lunchboxes, ambition and unconditional love. By earning their degrees, they not only build brighter futures for themselves but also inspire their children to dream big. Cerritos College and CalWORKs are proud to celebrate their extraordinary grit and resilience.