In 2025, the Carolina Women’s Center conducted a needs assessment of all UNC undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to understand the experiences, challenges, and needs of student caregivers. NC Caregiving Research Network member, Shelley Kennedy, the Assistant Director at the Women’s Center, wrote a summary of what they learned and shares links to campus resources for students.
Key take-ways include:
- Students have diverse caregiving responsibilities including for children and for elders.
- Caregiving responsibilities come with financial, academic, and relational challenges.
- Most students are not utilizing any campus support services related to caregiving.
- Students would like more supports including child care subsidies, information on finding respite care, and community-building events.
Campus Resources for Student Caregivers:
- Pregnancy and Lactation Accommodations through University Compliance Office
- Graduate Student Parental Leave Policy
- Student Caregiver Peer Support Group: Hosted by Carolina Women’s Center
- Baity Hill: On-campus housing for students with dependents
- Helping Heels Directory: Tar Heels offering child and elder care
- Carolina Pantry Network (some have diapers, baby food, etc.)
- Assistance finding child or elder care
Shelley Kennedy is a double Tar Heel, having earned both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. She currently serves as Assistant Director of the Carolina Women’s Center and holds an adjunct position in UNC’s Women’s and Gender Studies Department.
