The Parent Handoff: Closing the Gaps in Supporter Engagement to Drive Student Success

🎓 How Continuous Communication, Practical Tools, and Year-Round Engagement Create Better Outcomes for Students and Supporters

🖊️ Author: David Morales, CEO & Founding Developer, Visualzen

📍 Featuring Insights From:

• Dr. Chelsea Petree – Director of Parent and Family Programs at Rochester Institute of Technology, Past-President of AHEPPP: Family Engagement in Higher Education, Author and Editor of College Ready and Post College Ready

🔑 Introduction: Beyond the First Day – The Missing Link in Supporter Engagement

For most campuses, supporter engagement follows a predictable cycle: Orientation, Family Weekend, and then… silence.

It’s a missed opportunity.

Imagine if families and supporters stayed consistently engaged throughout the student journey—equipped with tools, conversation guides, and mental health resources to support their students year-round.

In my conversation with Dr. Chelsea Petree, we unpacked how ongoing supporter engagement can address key challenges like:

✅ Student mental health

✅ Avoiding the Sophomore Slump

✅ Building a sustainable sense of belonging

✅ Preparing students for graduation

This isn’t just about onboarding families—it’s about creating systems for off-boarding that leave a lasting impact.

Let’s break down the key insights.

💡 Insight 1: Fill the Gaps in the Supporter Lifecycle

“The typical student supporter engagement life cycle includes orientation and onboarding, followed by Family Weekend, and then silence until graduation. This gap is an untapped opportunity for ongoing supporter engagement.” — Dr. Chelsea Petree

For many families, Family Weekend marks the end of structured communication. But supporters play an essential role throughout the academic journey:

✅ Emotional Anchors: Families provide critical emotional support during academic and personal challenges.

✅ Accountability Partners: They can remind students about deadlines and resources.

✅ Early Intervention Allies: Supporters often notice early signs of disengagement or distress.

🛠️ One Thing You Can Do Today:

• Implement a monthly supporter newsletter that offers:
• Key dates and deadlines
• Conversation starters for families
• Mental health check-in prompts

Small, regular touchpoints can transform supporter engagement from episodic to continuous.

💡 Insight 2: Empower Families with Practical Tools and Resources

“Parents don’t always know how to support their student beyond asking, ‘How are classes going?’ Institutions can empower supporters by providing tailored conversation starters for different stages of the academic year.” — Dr. Chelsea Petree

Families often want to help but lack the tools or knowledge to provide effective support.

✅ Seasonal Conversation Guides: Tailored prompts for common academic milestones (e.g., midterms, finals, housing selection).

✅ Resource Lists: Easy access to campus services (e.g., tutoring, counseling, academic advising).

✅ Expectation Setting: Clear guidance on how supporters can best engage without overstepping.

🛠️ One Thing You Can Do Today:

• Create a Supporter Conversation Guide with prompts like:
• “How are you managing your workload this semester?”
• “What campus resources have you used lately?”
• “What are you most proud of accomplishing so far this year?”

When families are equipped with the right tools, they become partners in student success rather than passive observers.

💡 Insight 3: Make Mental Health a Year-Round Priority

“Mental health challenges don’t follow a calendar. Supporters need ongoing guidance on recognizing signs of distress and knowing when to intervene or escalate.” — Dr. Chelsea Petree

Mental health is one of the most pressing challenges in higher education today. Families can play a vital role in supporting students, but they need ongoing tools and communication strategies.

✅ Normalize Mental Health Conversations: Give supporters prompts to check in on emotional well-being.

✅ Provide Campus-Specific Resources: Ensure supporters know about counseling services and hotlines.

✅ Train for Intervention: Educate families on when and how to escalate concerns.

🛠️ One Thing You Can Do Today:

• Send out seasonal mental health check-in guides to supporters with prompts like:
• “How have you been sleeping lately?”
• “Are you feeling connected to your peers?”
• “What has been the biggest stressor for you this month?”

Supporting mental health isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing commitment.

🎓 Real Impact: Building an Intentional Supporter Engagement Lifecycle

When campuses prioritize continuous supporter engagement, they create better outcomes for students and their families:

✅ Improved Mental Health Outcomes: Early intervention reduces long-term struggles.

✅ Increased Retention Rates: Proactive family engagement helps address disengagement early.

✅ Enhanced Campus Trust: Supporters feel informed, valued, and confident in their partnership with the institution.

As Dr. Chelsea Petree emphasized:

“Supporter engagement isn’t just about onboarding—it’s about creating pathways for connection, guidance, and meaningful involvement throughout the student lifecycle.”

📢 Conclusion: Rethink the Parent Handoff

Supporter engagement doesn’t end with Family Weekend—and it shouldn’t be a quiet gap until graduation.

It’s time for institutions to:

✅ Build sustainable engagement systems beyond orientation.

✅ Equip families with practical tools to support their students year-round.

✅ Treat supporters as partners in student success.

What Can You Do Today?

• Start a monthly supporter newsletter with practical tips.
• Develop seasonal conversation starter guides for families.
• Prioritize mental health awareness resources for supporters.
  
  

When campuses intentionally engage families throughout the student journey, they unlock better outcomes, stronger trust, and long-lasting connections.

🎥 Want to Learn More?

Watch the full interview with Dr. Chelsea Petree on OrientationMatters Season 2, Episode 6: “The Parent Handoff.”

👉 Explore how VZO supports onboarding success: www.govzo.com/case-studies

Let’s turn simple details into powerful outcomes—together.

💬 Have Questions or Want to Learn More?

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