ULM signs MOU with StudyNPlay to create new resources for student-parents

Published April 28, 2026

Administrators from ULM, StudyNPlay and the UL System pose at the signing of an MOU.

CAPTION:听The 91精品福利一区二区三区 signed the agreement with听StudyNPlay听on April 22, 2026. Pictured L-R: ULM Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michelle听McEacharn;听StudyNPlay听Executive Director Stephanie Styles, J.D.;听ULM President Dr. Carrie L. Castille; University of Louisiana System President Dr. Rick Gallot听

MONROE, La. 鈥撎�The 91精品福利一区二区三区听and听StudyNPlay听signed a memorandum of understanding听to pilot a program designed to support student-parent persistence, credential completion, and transition听into the workforce.听听

The听StudyNPlay听framework is a parent-proximate workforce infrastructure model that will听assist听in creating a space on ULM鈥檚 campus where student-parents can听focus on their studies while their children听participate听in learning and play activities.听StudyNPlay听is not a childcare provider, but听will include听a supervised, play-based area for children while听student-parents听remain听close by, allowing them to persist in the completion of their education, while also providing holistic听resources to strengthen their success.听听

鈥淭his initiative is all about meeting our students where they are and providing the bridge to get them where they want to be,鈥� said ULM President Carrie L. Castille. 鈥淚t听is our job as a university to provide as many resources as we can to ensure that our students persist in their degree programs.听This partnership with听StudyNPlay听strengthens our commitment to student success, and I am excited about how it听will听impact听our student population and attract new students as well,鈥� added Castille.听听

StudyNPlay听will provide the program framework, training, and implementation support, while ensuring the听program鈥檚听fidelity and evaluation. ULM will provide institutional support, lead student听outreach听and recruitment to the program, and integrate the model into student success initiatives.听听

鈥淪tudent parents are one of the most overlooked but high-potential segments of our workforce pipeline,鈥� said Stephanie Styles, Executive Director of听StudyNPlay. 鈥淭hrough this partnership,听we鈥檙e听not just providing support;听we鈥檙e听building the infrastructure that allows parents to persist, complete their education, and transition into the workforce.听StudyNPlay听was designed so parents no longer听have to听choose between their education and their children, and听we鈥檙e听proud to partner with听ULM听to bring this model to North Louisiana.鈥�听

ULM is currently evaluating potential locations for the听StudyNPlay听space on its campus and will partner with private donors to prepare the finished space. Potential donors who are interested in supporting the听StudyNPlay听program at ULM are encouraged to contact the ULM Foundation at (318) 342-3636.听

About听StudyNPlay听

StudyNPlay听is a low-profit limited liability company and social enterprise wholly owned by the Generation Upward Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.听StudyNPlay听is a community-driven resource committed to supporting student-parents as they pursue better futures for themselves and their families. To learn more, visit听.听