Transitions and Transformations

1
Transitions and Transformations

• Kayla Banion
• Interim Director of New Student Family Programs

2
The Millennial Generation

• Characteristics of Millennials
• Special
• Sheltered
• Confident
• Team-oriented
• Achieving
• Pressured
• Conventional

3
The Millennial Generation

• Boomers have given them the confidence to be
  optimistic about their ability to make things
  happen, and Xers have given them just enough
  skepticism to be cautious - If you want to
  remember just one key word to describe
  Millennials, its realistic.
• Lynne C. Lancaster and David Stillman from
  When Generations Collide.

They combine the teamwork ethic of the Boomers
with the can-do attitude of the Veterans and the
technological savvy of the Xers. At first glance,
and even at second glance, Generation Next may be
the ideal workforce - and ideal citizens. Ron
Zemke, Claire Raines and Bob Filipczak from
Generations at Work.
4
Millennial Parents

• Characteristics of Millennial Parents
• Boomer Generation (1943-1960) or Generation X
  (1961-1981)
• Co-purchasers of your students education
• Technologically savvy
• Socially connected to student

5
July and August
EMOTIONAL
Move-In Weekend of Welcome
August 2008
September 2008
July 2008

• Advice for Parents Families
• Let your student know that it is natural to have
  doubts, but that you have confidence in the
  choices he/she is making.
• Discuss important choices money management,
  personal safety, and alcohol/drugs.
• Be aware of your own emotional ups and downs as
  well!

6
September
FREEDOM
REALITY
October 2008
September 2008
NEW SKILLS

• Advice for Parents Families
• Set up a call schedule to routinely check in with
  your student.
• Urge them to contact the Counseling Center,
  Health and Wellness Center or the Tutorial and
  Academic Skills Center to help adjust to college
  life.
• Encourage your student to get involved with
  campus activities.

7
October and November
PRESSURE
DISENCHANTMENT
Parent Family Day
Mid-term period
Thanksgiving
November 2008
October 2008
December 2008
STABILITY

• Advice for Parents Families
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage
  communication.
• Attend the Parent and Family Day on Saturday
  October 18th!
• Send care packages to put a smile on your
  students face!
• Be a non-judgmental sounding board. Encourage,
  support and listen.

8
December
JOY
Finals
Christmas
ILLNESS
December 2008
January 2009
READJUSTMENT

• Advice for Parents Families
• Keep your upcoming holiday traditions the same so
  they have something to look forward to coming
  home to.
• Congratulate them and let them know you are
  supporting them through the end of the semester!
• Understand that they will need some time and
  patience when readjusting to living at home
  again.
• Help them set goals for the upcoming year if they
  are unhappy with their grades

9
Parent and Family Association
The Parent and Family Association is an
organization dedicated to increasing family
involvement and partnership with the College.
The Association offers all family members of
currently enrolled students, despite availability
and proximity, the opportunity to participate in
the community.

• Involvement Opportunities
• The Loop - receive monthly e-updates, bi-yearly
  newsletter, access to online parent listserv
• Career Connection - provide information on your
  profession to junior and senior students
• Parent and Family Ambassador - volunteer at
  on-campus events for students families
• Parent Friends - make phone calls to new SMC
  families to welcome them to the College

Fill out the Parent and Family Association form
in your packet - TODAY!