Student Parent Support Leaders Leave A Lasting Legacy At MWCC

We recently celebrated two remarkable student leaders whose dedication, compassion, and advocacy have made a lasting impact on student parents and their families.

Sara Leopaldi and Stacey Houle, both graduates of MWCC and key members of the Student Parent Support Program and Monty’s Cubs Childwatch, are moving on to exciting new professional opportunities. Their journeys reflect not only personal perseverance and achievement but also the transformative power of support systems designed to help student parents succeed.

Sara Leopaldi began her educational journey at MWCC in the fall of 2021 as a parenting student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education for Exceptional Children. In the spring of 2022, she joined the Family Resource Center as a student work-study employee, quickly becoming a trusted resource and advocate for fellow parenting students.

One of Sara’s earliest accomplishments came in April 2022, when she played an instrumental role in helping to launch Childwatch services at the college during April school vacation week when many student parents struggle to attend classes while their children are home. The program proved to be an immediate success and continued to grow, with Sara stepping into a leadership role made possible through the Career Readiness Grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. 

The Career Readiness Grant enabled Sara to continue serving as a team leader even after graduating with her associate degree in May 2025. Following her graduation she transferred to Framingham State University is now nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies.

Sara will soon begin a new chapter as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at the New England Center for Children in Southborough, where she will continue supporting children and families.

Like many parenting students, Stacey Houle’s educational journey was anything but traditional. After beginning her studies at MWCC in 2012, she navigated the challenges that often accompany balancing family responsibilities with higher education.

A participant in the College’s CCAMPIS program, Stacey became involved with Childwatch as a volunteer in 2024 before joining the staff as a paid employee in spring 2025. Following her graduation from MWCC with a degree in Human Services in May 2025, Stacey remained with Childwatch thanks to support from the Career Readiness Grant.

After transferring to Fitchburg State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Stacey became a strong advocate for parenting students, helping raise awareness of a population that often goes unseen on college campuses. She will now bring her passion for helping others to Worcester Community Action Council, where she has accepted a position as a Community Resource Navigator.

The contributions of both Sara and Stacey were made possible through funding from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. The Career Readiness Grant allowed the Childwatch to retain experienced student leaders whose mentorship and service benefited countless parenting students and children.

“They both worked hard and overcame challenges along the way to get to this point, and much of what they accomplished was made possible by from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts grant,” said Ann Reynolds, Coordinator of Student Parent Supports.

“On behalf of all of us in Student Services and across the College, I cannot thank you both enough for your passion, advocacy, and commitment to building our supports for parenting students and their beautiful families,” said Jason Zelesky, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “It is because of your efforts that our parenting students succeed and thrive at MWCC. You both will be forever missed but never forgotten. The hardest part of our work is saying goodbye to student leaders who have made such an impact on our campus and community. Because of you, we are forever changed.”

While their time at MWCC has come to an end, the impact Sara and Stacey have had on the Student Parent Support Program and Monty’s Cubs Childwatch will continue to be felt for years to come. Through their leadership, advocacy, and commitment to supporting fellow student parents, they have helped build a stronger, more inclusive community—one that will continue to help parenting students thrive as they pursue their educational goals.