Welcome to a special Difference Makers edition of Maroon! Learn about young alumni who are making a difference by giving back to the university they love and how you can make a tangible impact in Aggieland too, no matter your age or situation.
The Aggie Pregnant and Parenting Student Organization is creating a community for student parents.
Pregnant and parenting students have a new resource on campus thanks to the Aggie Pregnant and Parenting Student Organization (APPSO). Kobi Ajayi ’20 ’23 (far right, above), a recent doctoral graduate and mother of two, founded the organization in fall 2019 after speaking with other student parents about the unique challenges they faced.
Led by current president, Miriam Catalan ’24 (second from right, above), a Ph.D. candidate in the ecology and conservation biology department, the group supports the mental wellness and academic success of pregnant and parenting students through advocacy, service, research and education. “APPSO strives to provide a community for student parents and financial assistance through scholarships,” Catalan said. “My plan for the organization is to continue striving for connection so that everyone can feel supported in their studies.”
The group recently established a network for student parents called Student Parent Aggies Raising Kids, which held its inaugural meetings at the beginning of the fall 2023 semester.