Parent & Family Council Mission

Parents and families play a vital role in the life of the College, and your involvement through the Parent & Family Council will help to improve the quality of education and enhance the collegiate experience for your student. The Parent & Family Council supports the Elmira College goal to prepare students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens. It provides the administration with timely and insightful feedback from the families’ point of view; serves as a resource for Elmira College families; and promotes meaningful connection with the College.

Elmira College Mission

Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Elmira College strives for excellence in both general and professional education, providing a collaborative and supportive environment that enables students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens. Proud of its history and tradition, Elmira College is committed to the ideals of diversity, environmental sustainability, experiential learning, community engagement, and intellectual and personal growth.

Parent & Family Council Roles:

  • Serve a one-year renewable term and attend two Parent & Family Council meetings per year. Meetings will be held bi-annually aligning with the fall and winter terms on the academic calendar. There will be a virtual option for those who can not make it to campus.

  • Serve as Parent & Family Ambassadors for the College at special events, particularly those sponsored by the offices of Admissions and Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement.

  • Make a leadership gift of $1,000 or more each year of service on the Parent & Family Council to the Fund for Elmira College. Parents & Families who pledge a yearly gift of $1,000 or more are recognized by the Cowles Circle honor roll of benefactors. 

  • Support the College by participating in annual giving campaigns and by assisting the Office of Institutional Advancement in soliciting other parent gifts if needed.

  • As Parent Ambassadors, spread the word about what Elmira College can offer to prospective students and parents, friends, businesses, high school counselors, and other interested parties.

  • Collaborate with the Dean of Campus Life to further enhance the student experience at Elmira College.

  • Contribute a story or article about your Parent & Family experience at Elmira College for the quarterly newsletter.

  • Communicate with families of accepted students to answer questions, promote the institution, and to encourage those students to attend.  

  • Serve as career mentors, host “job shadow” days, or host Elmira College student interns.  

  • Have the opportunity to host regional events for students, alumni, and families.

Parent & Family Council Member Benefits:

  • Reserved seating and parking at Commencement.

  • Invitations to exclusive College events on- and off-campus.

  • Receive information referencing upcoming events, special notices about campus life, and news, including our quarterly eNewsletter. 

  • Receive special privileges during Family Weekend, including advance registration and participation at the Fireside Chat with the President and Senior Officers.

  • As a valued volunteer, you will hear from College leaders and faculty as they share their views and insight on the Elmira experience. Parent & Family Council meetings include training to help you feel more comfortable in your volunteer role, and a focus on showing you the impact of your philanthropy at Elmira.

Interested in learning more? Contact Sydney Stringham ’19, MSEd ’21, MS ’23, Director of Alumni Engagement at sstringham@xinhe7.com or (607) 735-1855.

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