Parental, Family, and Caregiver Involvement in Orientation: Overlooked Key to Student Persistence?

Where our family lives, Autumn brings to mind the changing color of fall foliage, the smell of freshly made sorghum syrup, canning homemade apple butter, and getting ready to head back to school. On college campuses across the US, back-to-school is the busiest time of year when months of planning for move in days, welcome activities, and orientations culminate in the start of a journey towards enlightenment for an incoming class of students. 

Freshman Orientation tends to be the focal point in the transitioning process from high school to college with the intent of acclimating incoming students to the school will lead to success for those who attend. In a study from 2023, researchers from The Ohio State University indicated one student success predictor was their relationship with their parents, especially those who are first generation or a member of a minority demographic. Their research pointed to the criticality of parental involvement in the discussion of college persistence. 

Four researchers from Michigan State University, the University of Washington, and Utah State University collaborated on the article, “Family Communication Patterns and the Mediating Effects of Support and Resilience on Students’ Concerns About College.” In this article, their conclusions point directly to how healthy interactions and involvement can help students become more resilient as they make the transition to college. Addressing the concerns of incoming students may not alleviate all anxiety over adapting to college, but clearly the presence of a support system beyond the college campus is important. Investing in additional orientations for parents or encouraging their involvement in student orientation can play an important role in a student’s adjustment and mental health during the initial adjustment period. 

However, administration officials need to carefully consider more than just the label of “parents.” Dr. Collica-Cox wrote in her study, “Doing time for a parent’s crime,” that five million children in the US have parents who are incarcerated. One-third of incarcerated parents have children who will be eligible for college before their parents are released. These young adults live with other family members or wind up in foster care. Rather than referring to orientations as “Parent Orientation” or “Parents’ Weekend,” using more inclusive language to include family and caregivers. Many colleges and universities do, but the concept is not universally practiced in the US. 

The notion of involving more family members and caregivers is critical for student success. That involvement must continue beyond a cookout on the campus quad or invigorating welcome speeches. Young adults who experienced parental incarceration could have instability in their family unit or struggle with emotional distress themselves. Involving parents, families, and caregivers (PFC) in initial orientation is a great start, but ongoing support would also support persistence in this group of students. 

References 

 Bartle-Haring, S., Bryant, A., & Gavazzi, S. M. (2023). College student persistence: A focus on relationships with parents. Journal of Family Issues, 44(8), 2076-2095. 

Collica-Cox, K. (2023). Doing time for a parent's crime: When the children of incarcerated parents become the collateral consequences in arrest and sentencing [Article]. Corrections Today, 85(2), 34-41. 

Dorrance Hall, E., Scharp, K. M., Sanders, M., & Beaty, L. (2020). Family communication patterns and the mediating effects of support and resilience on students' concerns about college. Family Relations, 69(2), 276-291. 

Mazzoni, K. (2022). Children of Incarcerated Parents. Children of Incarcerated Parents: From Understanding to Impact. https://doi.org/10.1163/2210-7975_hrd-5411-2016002.