ASU graduate student starts organization for parenting Sun Devils

Doctoral candidate in linguistics Olivia Rines launched a new student group, the Sun Devil Student-Parent Network, to create a community of support and resources for parenting students. She was inspired by her own journey pursuing higher education while raising her daughter, Jaina, with her husband. 

Find out more about Rines’ work inside and outside the classroom and what she loves about her life at ASU. 

Tell us about your ASU family.

I was born in New York and raised in North Carolina. I have a master’s degree in English and have been teaching for five years. My partner, Jason, teaches for the Princeton Review, the test-prep service that partners with ASU. He has a master’s in philosophy and plans to pursue his doctorate after I finish mine.

Jason and I met in North Carolina while we were finishing our undergraduate degrees, and both of us still have family there. Our daughter, Jaina, will be 1 year old soon! She’s a very happy baby who loves interacting with people.

Why did you decide on ASU? And what do you plan to do with your studies?

Jason has always loved Arizona, and ASU has a thriving applied linguistics program, so when it came time for me to apply to doctoral programs, ASU was top of the list. I am pursuing my Ph.D. in linguistics and applied linguistics. My research focus is on language and gender, and my career goal is to work at a university or college in a teaching and/or research position.

What’s one thing you’re proud of at ASU?

When I served on a committee on the health and wellness experiences of female ASU students, we realized there was no organization for students who are parents. Yet this population clearly needs support, since being a parent and student — and possibly working as well — is extremely challenging. 

So I founded the Sun Devil Student-Parent Network, whose mission is to support ASU students who are parents and/or have dependents for whom they provide care. I’m very proud to be at the forefront of this initiative and to provide events, resources and social spaces dedicated to ASU student-parents.

What’s your favorite thing to do at ASU?

I love to walk the campus in the evenings when the orange trees are in bloom. They smell amazing! The cats that live on campus are also out at that time. It’s nice to see one of ASU’s hidden populations out and about.

As a graduate student, what’s your advice for fellow students?

Don’t underestimate the power of building a community of support. Find a club or a social group that you enjoy and attend their events. You’ll be amazed how quickly you create a network of friends who will be there for you through thick and thin.