‘1 in 5’ Episode 3: Meet Michaela Martin
Michaela Martin was born and raised in rural Oregon and is currently pursuing a J.D. in Southern California to strengthen her ability to engage in public interest work. Michaela is passionate about the economic and educational advancement of families and continues advocating to foster pathways of success for others.
Despite dropping out of high-school and becoming a single mother, Michaela graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology.
During her time at OSU, she served as the Assistant Director of Advocacy Programs, was appointed as vice-chair of the Oregon State University Family Services Advisory Board, and was awarded the Ford Opportunity Scholarship.
Her efforts culminated in the Oregon Senate Bill 794—a bill she successfully introduced in the 2019 legislative session. It would require colleges and universities to collect and report on the enrollment and graduation rates of student parents. SB794 was co-sponsored by 21 bipartisan legislators and endorsed by six non-profit organizations.
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1in5-Final-new-Ascend-768x768-1.gif)
Listen
You can read the episode transcript here.
Resources
The Ford Foundation is an international philanthropic group that seeks to end poverty and injustice and advance human achievement. They offer grants and scholarships to college students who face financial hardships.
Child Care Aware of America works to ensure that every family in the United States has access to a high-quality, affordable child care system through advocacy, research and public policy. Their state-by-state tool can be used to find resources available in your state.
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) is an international network of professionals that works with students who are seeking postsecondary education. Their podcast, College Admissions Decoded, features in-depth interviews with admissions professionals from across the country.
Student Parent Stories
Related Posts
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/VXC_Blog_Cover-768x432.png)
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Website_Blog_Banner_PSP_Phase3-1-768x432.png)
![A collection of different photos featuring Christian Ortiz, his daughter, and his mother](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-15-at-1.34.59-AM-768x367.png)
![Cover of the digital chartbook, "We Are Here Too: Who Are the 1 Million Fathers in College?". A student father in a graduation cap and gown is seated with his son and daughter, smiling.](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cover-768x432.jpg)
![Cover of the digital chartbook, "We Are Here Too: Who Are the 1 Million Fathers in College?". A student father in a graduation cap and gown is seated with his son and daughter, smiling.](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cover-768x432.jpg)
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/NMimage2-768x470.jpeg)
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3942-768x512.jpg)
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GettyImages-1366623750.jpg)
![Photo of student parent Waukecha Wilkerson with her family at her graduation ceremony.](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screenshot-2023-05-02-at-6.32.36-PM-768x215.png)
![Photo of Isis Patterson and her family](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-24-at-5.28.27-PM-768x280.png)
![1 in 5 Student Parent Podcast](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PSP_1in5_1600x900-768x432.png)
![Photo of Nicole Alkire Grady with her family in a park.](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Photographer_Lea-Black_2-1-768x536.jpg)
![Photo of Generation Hope's Nicole Lynn Lewis with her five children](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC03504-768x512.jpg)
![](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PSP_1in5_1600x900-2048x1152-1-768x432.png)
![Dominique Baker and her family.](https://ascend.gray64.dev/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-04-24-at-7.13.13-PM-768x438.png)