Parents and Families
Welcome Parents and family members!
The Cougar family is here for you and your student all the way from the application
to graduation. We understand that your biggest investment is in your family, and you
are trusting us to help them reach their academic and career goals. This is a responsibility
we don’t take lightly. Your student’s success is our top priority. Family values are
essential, and these are the ones we believe in to our core.
• Learning
• Service and Involvement
• Creativity and Innovation
• Academic Excellence
• Dignity and Respect
• Integrity
We are honored to support your student and recognize your role in getting them this
far. Research shows that family involvement is positively linked to students’ college
aspirations and to higher academic achievement.
Parent & Family Online Orientation Parent & Family Online Orientation (SPANISH VERSION)
Popular FAQs
#1 Communication: While your student may not reach out to you, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to talk. Try some of the following talking points to let them know you care and are interested in supporting them on their college journey.
#2 Encouragement: Try to avoid criticism or judgment. Be their biggest cheerleader! Embolden them to get involved in activities and organizations on campus. Highly engaged students are more likely to be successful. Find out when final exams are, and send them a supportive note or a care package. These could be stressful times. Share about a time in your own life when you struggled and about the learning experience you gained. Remind them that their professors have office hours set aside to provide help and to answer questions. Getting to know professors helps students feel more connected and generally do better in their classes.
#3 Responsibility: We understand that it can be difficult to relinquish control. But letting your student take responsibility and ownership of their own education is an invaluable opportunity for growth. Don’t be fearful for the mistakes they will make. Mistakes are part of the learning process. When students take responsibility for their own endeavors – they also get to take credit for their own SUCCESSES!
Additional Resources