It is a wonderful experience to connect deeper with the University through awareness of programs, procedures, key issues, and other parent experiences.
Involvement Opportunities
At Penn State, we believe that student success is enhanced when parents and families engage as partners. Many parents and families want to continue to be involved in their students' education. And students benefit from appropriately involved families. The most important way for you to be involved is to become a well-informed support system for your student. Penn State has established ways for you to get involved.
- Joining the Penn State Parents Council
- Ideal applicants are energetic, creative, and dedicated to the success of the University and its support of students and their families. Applicants should be available to come to campus twice per academic year for meetings and events.
- Volunteering as a Parent Ambassador
- Ideal applicants are energetic, creative, and dedicated to the improvement of the University and its support of students and their families. Applicants will have volunteer opportunities at home and on campus.
- Applying to become a Family Ambassador (FAMB)
- FAMBs are undergraduate student volunteers at the University Park campus who serve as student liaisons between the Parents Program office and Penn State parents and families at large, assist in routine office tasks, and assist with key parent and family programming throughout the year.
- Supporting the Parents Fund
- Joining the Alumni Association
- Becoming an advocate for Penn State
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Ways to Get Involved
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Parents Council
The Penn State Parents Council makes a commitment to volunteer time and to share knowledge and expertise across a range of initiatives and programs that support the mission and the goals of the Penn State Parents Program and Penn State. -
Parent Ambassador
Parent Ambassadors serve as representatives for a number of University events and programs for new and continuing students, parents, and families. Ambassadors enhance university outreach efforts by sharing their time and unique perspectives as current Penn State family members. -
Parents Fund
Make a Gift. Make a Difference. Many families have worked with the Office of Parent Philanthropy to shape their giving and make a difference for their Penn Staters and the other students who are part of their community. -
Alumni Association
Membership in the Penn State Alumni Association is all about pride—pride in Penn State and pride in being affiliated with the best alumni association in the country. And whether or not you graduated from Penn State, you're eligible for membership in the Penn State Alumni Association. -
Advocate Penn State
Advocate Penn State seeks to create a better Penn State. We do so by connecting members of the Penn State community with elected officials to share their stories of how a stronger Penn State means a stronger Pennsylvania. -
Student Family Ambassadors
Family Ambassadors are undergraduate students at the University Park campus who serve as student liaisons between the Parents Program office and Penn State parents and families at large, assist in routine office tasks, and assist with key parent and family programming throughout the year.
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Yes, many of our volunteers are from out of state. Most of our volunteer activities occur on campus, but some events are held throughout the country, including Student Send-Off events in the summer and Admitted Student Events in the spring.
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Not necessarily.
Parents Council members will come to campus a minimum of twice per academic year - once in the fall and once in the spring.
There are additional volunteer opportunities on and off campus throughout the year. Off-campus events are limited and not available in all locations.
