Columbia State Community College’s Diapers for Diplomas program is entering its fourth year assisting student parents to overcome challenges that prevent them from continuing their education. Since the scholarship program’s inception at Columbia State in 2021 through a partnership with Nashville Diaper Connection, more than 60 students have been served.

“The Diapers for Diplomas program has provided a much-needed resource for the student parents at Columbia State,” said Joni Allison, Columbia State coordinator of Adult Student Services. “Many would not think about this kind of service but it has made such a difference for the students who have participated. We are so appreciative of the program and the partnership with Nashville Diaper Connection.”

Nashville Diaper Connection’s Diapers for Diplomas Scholarship Program exists to assist student parents in their pursuit of higher education. Through the scholarship, qualifying students receive 200 diapers each month, allowing these students to afford other higher education expenses to achieve their goals. Columbia State is one of seven schools in Middle Tennessee that offers such a scholarship.

“Columbia State is an anchor college for Nashville Diaper Connection’s Diapers for Diplomas program supporting parenting students,” said Doug Adair, Nashville Diaper Connection president. “This program helps ease the burden for students with very young children by providing all the diapers they need for a full academic year. To date, 66 Columbia State students have received this scholarship, including parents from all five campuses. We are beyond grateful for the partnership we have built with Joni Allison, her team, and the entire Columbia State community.”

Columbia State nursing student and Lewisburg resident Bretta Kent has experienced the benefits of this program firsthand.

“Being a mom and in school is a struggle in and of itself; add all the financial need on top of that, and you’ve got a lot of stress,” Kent said. “The Diapers for Diplomas program has helped ease that stress so much by providing diapers for my daughter. It’s one less thing on my already overflowing plate and I am so grateful. I have thrived in school this last semester and finished all my courses with high grades. I think it’s so important what this organization is doing for student parents at Columbia State. It’s an added plus that the diapers are of amazing quality and exceptionally gentle on my daughter’s sensitive skin. We think the world of D4D!”

For more information on Nashville Diaper Connection and for scholarship requirements, visit www.NashvilleDiaperConnection.org.

For more information about the Diapers for Diplomas program, contact Allison at 931.540.2655 or by email at jallison6@ColumbiaState.edu.