Building Institutional Systems of Support for the Parents and Families of College Students

"As I read each page, it felt as if it were torn out of my day-to-day work as a dean of students. I’m so grateful for the insights offered on the important role of families in our students’ success. The guidance and examples within the text arm practitioners with the tools needed to bring families in on the work and care needed to create the belonging students are seeking."

Chrissy Lieberman, Dean of Students, University of Arizona

"Harper and Marquez Kiyama bring together powerful insights from practitioners to challenge and inspire us to reimagine how colleges and universities can truly serve today’s students and their families. They remind us of the deeply complex, nuanced, and culturally rich ways that first-generation, low-income, and BIPOC students and their families engage with higher education, challenging misconceptions of family involvement and moving us to asset-based, inclusive practices. This book is a must-read for practitioners, administrators, and scholars committed to building equity-driven, student-centered institutions that honor the full breadth of the student experience."

Heather J. Shotton, President, Fort Lewis College

"This book is an excellent resource, offering a comprehensive exploration of the diverse needs of today’s parents and families across a wide range of institutional contexts—including community colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Minority-Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Designed for both emerging and experienced practitioners, it provides actionable strategies for those developing parent and family programs, it illustrates new and innovative practices for enhancing established programs and is grounded in the philosophy of partnering with families as key contributors to student success."

Kathy Adams Riester, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students, Indiana University