best practices in communicating with college parents & families

Best Practices in Communicating with Parents & Families

Branka Kristic Sarah SchuppDirector of Parent & Family Programs

Hofstra University Vice-Chair, AHEPPP

CEO & FounderUniversityParent

AHEPPP

AHEPPP is dedicated to facilitating meaningful and lasting contact with college and university parents and family programs by establishing a

national support network that provides:

Annual National Conference

Career & Networking Opportunities

Regional Conferences Member ResourcesResearch & Journal Professional Development

aheppp.org

Communicateuntil they

hear.

Education Advisory Board. Student Affairs Leadership Council (2010). Partnering with parents for student success: Strategies for communication and engagement. The Advisory Board Company, Washington, D.C.

CAS Standards for Parent and Family Programs available on aheppp.org for members

How do you communicate with parents & families before

orientation?

Pre-Entry

Admissions: parent contact informationEmail families in MayMail parent and family handbookFamily OrientationWeb site: maintain correct information

Parent Handbook

•Transition from high school to college•Resource description, phone numbers•Title IX programs and services (new)•Neighborhood places•Glossary - think of first generation families

Parent Handbook Examples

See UniversityParent.com for more examples

How do you communicate with parents & families

during orientation?

Family Orientation

•Engage them in discussions•Ask directors to participate•Facilitate connection amongst parents•Topics: adjust as per assessment

How do you communicate with parents & families through the

first-year?

Retention

•E-newsletters: anticipate questions•On-campus workshops (archived online)•Call parents of at-risk students (w/FERPA)•Use social media!

Crisis Communication

•Are you part of the crisis communication plan?•Students first – alert system; then parents•Dedicated staff and communication builds trust•Web resources: emergency FAQs

Lessons Learned

• Join to AHEPPP to learn from your colleagues about best practices•Dedicated, full-time parent program professional•The earlier the better•Communicating with parents is not the same as communicating with students

QuestionsWe are happy to answer your questions & would love to hear from you!

Please don't hesitate to contact us.

Branka Kristic@brankristic

Sarah Schupp@sarah_schupp

@4collegeparentssarah@universityparent.com

UniversityParent.com

AHEPPP@aheppp

www.aheppp.orgmembership@aheppp.org

Additional Resources•College Parent Handbook Examples•Guide to Supporting Your Student’s Freshman Year•College Parent Email Newsletter Examples•Articles/Content to Share with Parents•Example College Glossary of Terms for Parents