Our Team
Zak Steltz - Project Manager, Web Designer/Coder
My name is Zak Steltz, I’m a 25 year old student majoring in Creative Media and Digital Culture at Washington State University Vancouver. As one of the web designers and coders on this project, I feel that this experience has offered insight into the design and creation of a public-facing website. In addition, dealing with the topic of single parenting and how it relates to diversity in the digital age has opened my eyes to a subject that I had never really considered before. I believe that both of these factors will be valuable in the future when looking for a career in digital and social media.Sandi Oja - Web Designer/Coder, Editor
I am a Digital Technology and Culture student in my senior year at WSU-Vancouver. I am also a single parent with five children, who range in age from 8 to 22 years old. I understand the joys and trials of single parenting but every situation is unique, which is why we have included single parent profiles. If you suddenly find yourself in the role of a single parent I hope you will see that you are not alone, while everyones situation is different we can still learn from each other.Mel Fernandes - Researcher, Editor
I study Finance at WSUV. I’m 20 years-old and looking forward to long career in the financial services industry. I currently work at US Bank and hold my series 6 license in Washington. I’m a Seattle-native and hope to move back after school. My life’s passion is helping people understand their finances so they can build a strong foundation and live a life free of money-worries.Jenni LeBaron - Researcher, Editor
My name is Jenni, I am a 24 year old student majoring in Digital Technology and Culture and minoring in Communications at Washington State University-Vancouver. Writing is my passion and I hope to use my degree in a career in professional blogging and journalism. I’m a native of Washington, but have lived in other states as well. I love to travel, but I am always happy to come home to the beautiful green landscape of the Pacific North West.Kevin Chen - Researcher, Editor
I am a third year creative media student at WSUV. Diversity issues in the digital realm are interesting to me because the internet is quickly becoming a second home to many people in our society. As we bring in our personas we also bring our prejudices. The online world was very individualistic in the past but with recent increased emphasis on networking and online cooperation, I think it is important to study family structure in our society to have educated predictions of how these structures will translate into the digital world.John Marquardt - Writer, Editor
I am in my final year at WSU Vancouver where I am majoring in Management and Operations. I have been married for 15 years and currently have two children, ages 8 and 4. I know how difficult it can be to raise a well-balanced child in today’s day and age with two parents I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to do it with one. Before starting this project I had never thought much about the struggles a single parent might face on a daily basis. As it turns out, I know a number of single parents and I am hoping to have a deeper empathy for their situation and a better understanding of what their lives might be like. We would like to use this website as a resource to single parents. We also would like to educate viewers about single parenting.Our Mission
We would like to use this website as a resource to single parents. We also would like to educate viewers about single parenting.
Single parenting is a major issue in our culture and contributes to the diversity of family structures that can be found in the US.
The goal of 1parent.org is to educate individuals about single parenting in America and the role of single parents on the Internet. Our team has compiled research and statistics to show the gravity of single parenting. In order to back up these statistics we have included several interviews with individuals who have personal experience as a single parent. Our interviews include questions pertaining to the hardships and triumphs of leading single parent families. We would like to thank the individuals who participated in these interviews for their honesty and their cooperation.
1parent.org is also designed to provide online resources to single parents and their children. Our website offers simple financial advice as well as links to government aid.
