What does the Parent and Family Council do?

The Parent and Family Council was started in 2013 to help parents, family members, and supporters of current undergraduate students become informed and actively engaged members of the Mason community. They also advise New Student and Family Programs on important issues facing families at Mason. Council members serve as representatives of the Mason family experience and assist with enhancing the relationships between current, incoming, and prospective families and the institution.

In addition to being parents of Mason students, they are also volunteers and their goal is to represent and support all Mason families. The Council consists of 25 members of diverse backgrounds and geographical locations, who are well-versed in various topics pertaining to academics, student organizations, resources, and support services at Mason. In a typical year, they would participate in a panel during Orientation, plan and host a Summer Send-Off for incoming students and families, meet you on campus at Move-In, and interact with you during Family Weekend.

There is a Council member who serves on the Parents Fund Allocation Committee as well. The Parents Fund raises money that directly benefits the lives of current students and enhances their academic and co-curricular experience at Mason. Funds raised are used to support initiatives with the direct goal of increasing student success through the provision of direct support services. For a list of programs and initiatives supported by the Parents Fund in previous years, visit masonfamily.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Parents-Fund-Project-List.pdf.

Although their visibility looks different this year, the Council is available to help you navigate your Mason experience. The best way to engage with the Council right now is through our Family-to-Family Dialogue sessions. The purpose of these sessions is for you to connect with other Mason family members, ask questions, share experiences, and support each other as you support your students. There are two more sessions this semester – Tuesday, March 16 and Thursday, April 22 both at 6 p.m. ET. Register for one or both!

Meet the entire Council and see what each of them has expertise and experience with at masonfamily.gmu.edu/parent-and-family-council.

Rebecca McCrory
Associate Director of Family Programs
New Student and Family Programs