Bringing families into Gallaudet’s fold

Each fall, brand-new faces on campus express a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and nerves as they begin a new phase of their lives. Teary-eyed hugs are exchanged, and embraces are held for longer than usual. But don’t worry–the parents will be all right.

“Gallaudet’s Student Affairs and Student Success units ensure students feel welcome and are supported, but families are also a very important part of our community. We want them to feel connected with us while their child is a student here and beyond,” says Dr. Roberto Sanchez, Dean of Academic and Career Success.

Jesse Saunders, ’02, is tasked with strengthening those bonds between the university and families in a new role: Family Engagement Coordinator. Saunders knows Gallaudet well–he’s an alum, and has worked as Coordinator of Residence Education, Manager of Youth Programs, and now as a faculty member in the Physical Education and Recreation (PER) program. On top of that, he directs Gallaudet’s Personal Discovery Program and the Rock Climbing Gym. 

The establishment of this role is a cross-university initiative, spearheaded by Provost Khadijat Rashid, ’90; Chief Student Affairs Officer, Travis Imel, ’00 & G-’02; and Chief Enrollment and Communications Officer, Brandi Rarus. 

One of the most important qualifications of the Family Engagement Coordinator may be first-hand experience. “As someone who knows what it’s like to be a parent entrusting the care of a child to a university, it’s important to understand what parents and families will be going through,” says Saunders, who has three children–two of whom are in college.

His daughter is a senior at Gallaudet, which Saunders describes as a joy. “It’s nice to have her close by and on the same campus. We can see each other every day, chat, or have lunch.” Saunders’ son is further away, at Western Carolina University, and he travels to catch his son’s cross-country meets when he can. “It was a lot harder to drop him off compared to my daughter. It’s still heart-wrenching not to be able to see him everyday, but I’m happy to see him doing so well over there,” he says.

Building strong bonds from the get-go

To begin, Saunders collaborates with the offices of Admissions, Student Success, and Student Affairs on the Family Orientation Program. Gallaudet’s family orientation includes social events designed to help families get to know one another and the university. They can join in beginning-of-year festivities, such as the Bison Walk and community barbecue. Families also attend sessions about paying for college, are invited to breakfast with university leaders, and learn about both the academic and social sides of Gallaudet.

“We have a good program in place, and we’re looking for ways to improve that experience to help families feel at ease and allow them to let their child go as they set off on their college experience,” says Saunders. 

Saunders is also researching a potential new engagement event to help families feel connected to Gallaudet: the Family Weekend. Based on research showing the most challenging time period for freshmen is their first 48 days at college, the event may take place in the fall. “It’s a big transition: your family has been taking care of you, and then suddenly you’re on your own, having to get your bearings at a new college,” he explains.

“Regardless if you are local or live 3,000 miles away, family support really goes a long way towards your student’s success,” says Jesse Saunders.

Saunders acknowledges that Gallaudet has a unique challenge to overcome: “Most colleges draw their students from their local community, while we are a national and international university,” he says. Since most of Gallaudet’s student body comes from out-of-state and outside the region, he’s working on how to bring families to campus without making it too cost-prohibitive and creating more virtual engagement opportunities.

Strengthening family engagement makes practical sense, too. “One of the most important factors for retention is to make sure we have strong partnerships with students’ families,” he says. When families feel comfortable with the university, they can confidently offer their children the support they need to adjust to new academic expectations and social situations. 

And there’s a knock-on effect: “Students who thrive stay in school and help create a strong campus community,” says Saunders–welcome news for proud but teary-eyed families waving goodbye to their students each fall.

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Gallaudet warmly welcomes parents and families.