Constellations are core to SPARK and enact its values. A constellation is a group united by a common position or interest—geography, policy area, role, identity—and focused on one aspect of student-parent research or advocacy. SPARK has designed constellations to:
Any student parent, researcher, advocate, funder, service provider, and or anyone else who is interested in understanding and supporting pregnant and parenting students is welcome to join a constellation.
Constellations are established as LinkedIn groups and managed by Constellation Captains. Constellations are encouraged to meet at other conferences or convenings if constellations participants are interested.
Constellation Captains maintain group contact information, ensure a regular cadence of group interactions (synchronous or asynchronous), and support the group's stated goals. Constellation Captains receive training and are offered an honorarium for their efforts. If you want to become a Constellation Captain, please join SPARK and complete an interest form.
The possibilities for constellation groups are endless! We welcome suggestions for constellation groups. Here is a sample of the groups we intend to roll out soon.
Examples include Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, South, West Coast and Pacific Islands, Midwest, West/Southwest
Examples include Title IX, child care, financial aid, basic or essential needs, etc.
Examples include college program staff or administrators, institutional researchers, faculty, students, system- or state-level higher education staff or administrators, human services program staff or administrators, state and federal advocates, and state and federal researchers
Examples include HBCUs and TCUs, selective universities, public baccalaureate institutions, and community and technical colleges
Examples include student parents who have children with disabilities, non-citizen immigration statuses, Black women, young parents, Tribally affiliated and indigenous, graduate students, LGBTQIA+, and fathers