Kate Westaby

Westaby studies educational access and persistence for young parents—those in their teens and early 20s. Westaby’s research has found young parents are about 40 percent less likely to have enrolled in college by age 23 compared to their childless peers.  Westaby finds with recent political barriers in reproductive rights and the impending impact this will have on young persons, Westaby’s research aims to support young parents with holistic wraparound supports. Kate partners with a local school program, working with young moms, harnessing her own experience as a teen mom. Kate is also a program evaluator, conducting evaluation research in the education, health, and philanthropic sectors.