PARTNERING WITH PARENTS & FAMILIES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Brett Bruner, Director of Persistence & Retention | Fort Hays State University Dr. Cassy Bailey, Dean of Students | Baker University Dr. Teresa L. Clounch, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Multicultural Affairs | Baker University 2014 Kansas Student Affairs Conference – Lawrence, KS

Overview Introduction of Session, Goals & Learning Outcomes Introduction of Presenters & Institutions Session Goals of Participants National Data Sharing CAS Standards for Parent & Family Programs 2013 National Survey of College & University Parent Programs Using Data & Best Practices to Inform Our Practice in Parent & Family Programs Baker University Fort Hays State University Lessons Learned Along the Way!

Learning Outcomes As a result of attending this educational session, participants will Describe the importance of institutional efforts in partnering with parents & families for student success. Identify 2 new strategies for parent & family engagement efforts.

Fort Hays State University Division of Student Affairs Enrollment Management Cluster Student Support Services Cluster Student Life Cluster International Student Services Memorial Union Residential Life Persistence & Retention First Year Experience & Orientation Learning Communities Transfer Engagement Family Engagement

Baker University Division of Student Affairs Dean of Students Multicultural Affairs Residential Life Career Services Student Life Student Health & Counseling Community Outreach & Service

GOALS OF PARTICIPANTS Why did you choose this session? What are you hoping to gain from this conversation?

National Data Sharing: CAS Standards for Parent & Family Programs Parent & Family Programs must: Help families maintain a connection to the institution. Distribute information on a timely basis. Encourage parents & families to work with their student to access institutional resources independently Assist parents & families to navigate institutional resources, services & programs Consider diverse perspectives Provide information for faculty & staff to help them interact with parents & families Advocate for appropriate distribution of emergency information for parents & families

National Data Sharing: CAS Standards for Parent & Family Programs Parent & Family Programs should: Provide in its mission statement for students & their families to develop lifelong affinity to the institution & its initiatives Provide programming & services in-person & online Provide information about issues related to student learning & development Provide opportunities to interact with other families & students Provide a diverse set of programs, which may include, but not be limited to: Parent & family orientation programs Parent & family weekends Move-in & send-off events Educational workshops & seminars Newsletters Fundraising

National Data Sharing: 2013 National Survey of College & University Parent Programs Continuing development of programs Communication via technology & social media Declining print communications Identified as weakest skills Multiple offices are providing programming Structural placement Public institutions – Student Affairs Private institutions – Fundraising & Advancement Growing trend for parent fundraising

Sharing Our Stories: Fort Hays State University From: Divisional Family Engagement Committee To: Family Engagement as part of Office of Persistence & Retention Staffing Structure Director of Persistence & Retention Graduate Assistant for Family & Transfer Engagement Undergraduate Student Coordinator for Parent & Family Programs 3 Undergraduate Family Ambassadors 5 Undergraduate Parent Orientation Leaders 2 Undergraduate Sibling Orientation Leaders Effective : All roles combined into a team 10 Undergraduate Family Ambassadors

Sharing Our Stories: Fort Hays State University Enhanced Parent & Family Orientation Programs Tiger STRIPES: Freshman & Transfer Orientation & Pre-Enrollment Days Parent track Future Tiger Program – sibling track Horizons Multicultural Student Pre-Orientation Program Learning Communities Pre-Orientation Program Tiger Impact Fall Orientation Weekend

Sharing Our Stories: Fort Hays State University Comprehensive Family Engagement program Tiger Family Association – Tiger Family Team Education – Family Webinar Series July 2014: Transitioning to On-Campus Living (partnered with Office of Residential Life) September 2014: Top 10 Ways for Your Student to Get Involved (partnered with Center for Student Involvement) November 2014: Preparing for Your Student’s Return for the First Extended Break (partnering with Kelly Center) February 2015: Money, Money, Money (partnering with Office of Financial Assistance) April 2015: Being a Career Coach for Your Student (partnering with Academic Advising & Career Exploration Center & Office of Career Services)

Sharing Our Stories: Fort Hays State University Comprehensive Family Engagement program (continued) Communication Parent Portal Printed Family Calendars e-Newsletter from Vice-President for Student Affairs Emergency Communication Listserv Events Tiger Summer Send-off Events (partnership with Alumni Association & Office of Admissions) Family Weekend (fall) ‘Lil Sibs Weekend (winter) (partnership with Office of Residential Life) Spring Family Reunion (spring)

Sharing Our Stories: Fort Hays State University Comprehensive Family Engagement program (continued) Family of the Year Recognition Parent Giving – Student Emergency Fund Development

Sharing Our Stories: Baker University Family Orientation Simultaneous to Summer Enrollment All Day – comprehensive from offices to support to transitions Partnerships with families Consistently highly ranked

Sharing Our Stories: Baker University Communication Weekly Family Newsletter from Dean of Students Welcome to Fraternity/Sorority Life Letters B-Alert emergency notification 1:1 Calls

Sharing Our Stories: Baker University Events Family Weekend (Fall) – academics, music, athletics Partnerships with Fraternity /Sorority Life Connections with athletics Family of the Year

Lessons Learned Along the way Collaboration is key! Start small! Engage undergraduate students in the planning process Understand the needs of your population of parents & families!

PARTNERING WITH PARENTS & FAMILIES FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Brett Bruner, Director of Persistence & Retention | Fort Hays State University Dr. Cassy Bailey, Dean of Students | Baker University Dr. Teresa L. Clounch, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Multicultural Affairs | Baker University