Educating Rita’s Mom & Dad
Enlisting parents as allies for their students’ academic success
Jane Jacobson & Dana Schumacher
Iowa State University
The Millennial Generation
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Wanted
Affluent
Sheltered
Achievement­oriented
Stressed
“Wired”
Shares parents’ values
Believe that formulas work
Source: Howe, N. Strauss, W. (2000) Millennials rising: The next great generation. New York: Vintage
Who is coming along?
Parents of Millennials
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Highly involved
Overprotective
More invested in education
In constant communication
Parents want to know..
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Will my student be successful?
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Will my student be safe?
Source: Savage, Marjorie. University of Minnesota’s 2004 Survey of U of M Parents.
We added…
 How will I know?
 Who is here to help my student?
 What is my role as a parent?
The LAS Parent Program
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Part of a university­wide Orientation History
Strictly academic focus
Logistics
Academic partners
Why this approach?
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Directs focus of conversation
Broader range of subjects discussed
More opportunity to ask questions
More participation by parents & academic partners
Learning Outcomes 
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Who advisers are; what advisers do
Advising is teaching
Not all learning is in the classroom
Defining success, defining safety
Students, parents & advisers have different perspectives
Development, Testing & Tweaking
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Themes
Field testing & Evaluation
Modifications
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“Just in time” learning: themes and tone
Control the time
 Act ‘em out
 allow time to talk
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Get everybody on the same page
Provide references for further information
Have an ending
Development, Testing & Tweaking
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Changes over time
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Changes in culture & technology
“Case fatigue”
Collateral benefits
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Utilized the knowledge of experienced professionals
Can be adapted to other applications
Provided us a ways to communicate with parents about the essence of what we do
What do you want parents to learn?
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What are your opportunities?
What is your campus culture?
What is your role?
Who are your teachers?