As a Mother of Teenagers, I Know: Parents Must Lead the Path to College and Career

by Christy Moreno, National Organizing Director, NPU

At the National Parents Union, we’ve always known a simple truth: the most powerful force in a child’s education isn’t a policy or a program, it’s a parent. And as a mother of teenagers, I feel that truth every single day. I’m not just thinking about homework or grades, I’m thinking about what comes next. College, career, financial stability, purpose, joy. Like so many families, I’m trying to help my kids navigate a future that doesn’t always come with a clear roadmap. That’s why this moment matters.

In collaboration with College Board’s BigFuture, National Parents Union is launching the inaugural Families for BigFuture Committee—a national effort to put parent voices at the center of college and career planning. This isn’t symbolic. It’s a real opportunity for families like mine and yours to help shape the tools used by millions of students across the country.

Because the truth is, too many of us are figuring this out as we go, and it’s nerve-wrecking. Especially for families from historically underserved communities, the path to college and career can feel overwhelming and unclear. Information is hard to find. Guidance can be inconsistent. And systems that are supposed to support our children sometimes leave us feeling shut out. As a parent, I’ve felt that frustration firsthand, wanting to do the right thing for my kids, but not always having the right tools or access to make it happen. This committee is about changing that.

It’s about recognizing that parents are experts in their children’s lives. It’s about making sure our lived experiences are not just heard, but valued. Because who better to say what families need than the families themselves?

As a member of the Families for BigFuture Committee, parents and caregivers will help lead the conversation. They’ll bring real stories, real challenges, and real solutions to the table helping improve BigFuture’s resources so they actually work for the families they’re meant to serve. Over a six-month term, members will participate in virtual and in-person meetings, building community with other parents across the country who are equally committed to opening doors for all students.

We’re looking for parents and caregivers who are ready to be honest about what’s not working, and bold about what needs to change. Parents who care deeply about expanding opportunity, who are willing to speak up, and who want to share their perspectives on college and career planning resources accessed by millions of students and families with BigFuture. And we’re especially calling on families from marginalized and historically underserved communities, whose voices are too often missing from these spaces but are absolutely essential to making this work for our kids.

As a mother, I know how high the stakes feel. We’re not just talking about programs, we’re talking about our children’s futures. This is more than a committee. It’s a chance to turn our experiences into impact, to move from navigating systems alone to shaping them together.

If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way,” this is your chance to help build it.

Are you ready to take your seat at the table? Apply here!

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/