Student Affairs family program achievements featured at

Families are an important part of UMBC's community, and keeping them informed, engaged, and supported is the goal of Student Affairs' Family Engagement Program. The program's success was recently highlighted at the national Campus ESP conference on family communications and in the October 2022 Baltimore Sun Education supplement.

Fritzie Charne-Merriwether, assistant to the vice president of student affairs and director of parent/family engagement, has led family programming at UMBC for 12 years. "'Research shows that college students are increasingly engaged with their families through Zoom, FaceTime, emails, and texts. Families can be incredible motivators for our students and great allies and partners for us. If there is a critical deadline looming or information that students need, if we put that information in front of family members, they will increase the likelihood that students will be successful,' Charne-Merriwether says. She adds that parents know their children best and can see when 'something seems off' with their child and help their child tap into resources for help at UMBC."

The Family Advisory Board, begun in fall 2017 with five volunteers, has grown to over 60 volunteers who regularly participate in board meetings and outreach events, and share invaluable feedback with Student Affairs staff. In collaboration with Student Affairs leadership, staff, and campus partners, Charne-Merriwether developed approximately 15 new virtual family programs since 2020, covering such issues as COVID-19, campus life programming, and student well-being. Families are attending move-in weekend and Homecoming family events in increasing numbers, and new campus partnerships are developing, including one with the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program. 

Launched in fall 2021, the new Family Connection portal provides over 14,800 UMBC parents and family members, including over 2700 parents and families of incoming students, with increased engagement via weekly news updates, events, and resources. Of the total subscribers, over 10,000 are active users in the portal. Family Connection is now being used as the model platform by Campus ESP staff as they recruit and manage family communications for other institutions nationwide. The company recently invited Charne-Merriwether to speak at its annual conference on family engagement.

UMBC's family portal engagement numbers are higher than what Campus ESP has seen at other institutions. The average email open rate for UMBC families during FY 23 is 69%, with key communities such as First Generation and First-Year Families over 75%. In December 2022, the open rate for parents and families of incoming students was 96%, and since January 2023 the open rate for all members has ranged from 65 to 70%.

Increased family engagement has also helped to boost family donor participation. The number of parents donating to UMBC for its annual Black and Gold Rush giving day has increased from 295 parents in 2019 to 478 in 2022. 

UMBC Family Advisory Board Member Sally Gaines says,"I'm excited that the growth of the Student Affairs family program is providing more support and connection than ever, from the new Family Connection portal and resources, events, and webinars to the individual support that the office gives parents and families when they are in need. These actions demonstrate to parents and family members that they are part of a caring community. I am also grateful for the commitment and dedication that Fritzie brings to this work every day."

UMBC departments and offices are invited to share news and events with families via the Family Connection portal. Information from the UMBC community is shared with families throughout the calendar year.