When the Students Leave You on Read: Effective Ways to Communicate with Mountaineer Families
About the Session
In Student Affairs, we know families don’t just drop students off at college—they stay invested in the journey. This engaging session will show you how to turn data from the Mountaineer Family Experience portal into your secret weapon for creating communication strategies that inform, empower, and even wow parents, all while helping students thrive independently.
Discover how intentional family engagement drives success, how to use data to stay one step ahead of families’ needs, and how to build a collaborative partnership that supports students every step of the way. With real-world examples from Appalachian State, this session will leave you inspired and equipped to transform family engagement into a cornerstone of your department’s success story!
Session III, Anne Belk Hall, Room 116
Learning Outcomes
1. Participants will be able to articulate the role of NMFE in fostering a supportive partnership with parents and families to enhance student success and engagement.
2. Participants will demonstrate proficiency in using the CampusESP platform/process to share timely, relevant information with families, fostering a sense of inclusion and active participation in their student’s university experience.
3. Participants will identify key strategies for engaging families as informed supporters by directing them to NMFE resources and appropriate campus departments, respecting FERPA guidelines.
4. Participants will be able to explain the benefits of proactive communication with families in reducing concerns and encouraging positive, supportive interactions throughout the student lifecycle.
5. Participants will recognize and apply techniques to foster open, respectful communication with families, using NMFE’s guiding principles and resources as a foundation for relationship-building and problem-solving.
