3 Documents You Must Discuss With Your College Student

College is NOT high school.  There, I said it. This is one very important nugget of wisdom for parents and students to understand as they prepare for life after high school.  You see, in college roles change. Responsibilities change. And expectations change.  For both students AND parents.  Parenting a college student is different than parenting a high school student. It

#HigherEdHero — Meet Bridget Hamak

While they might not scale tall buildings or catch villains, there are super heroes walking among us. These heroes use their powers to support and guide students and families through their high school and college years. They are creative, energetic, resilient, organized, empathetic, hard-working professionals who make a difference in the lives of those around them. As an author and

Emotional about launching your college student? You are not alone!

When did it happen? When did our kids grow up? I went from college and my first “real” job to marriage and then babies, who grew from toddlers to teens in a nanosecond. A household where diapers, lullabies, and training wheels turned into thongs, indie rock, and driver’s ed. Who knew I’d long for the days of chicken nuggets with

Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice 

Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, here’s an excerpt from Out to Sea: A Parent’s Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage on how to help a student who has encountered a sexual assault.  Sexual Assault: When Sex Is Not a Choice  Not all sex on campus is consensual sex. Sexual assault is the broad term to describe a wide

#RealLifeWonderWoman — Meet Michelle Schmitz

Simply put, today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman helps people find success. Michelle Schmitz is the Executive Director of the St. Cloud State University Career Center, and is energized by her work. ” To have the opportunity to work in an environment where learning and growing is encouraged and inspired is something that fulfills me more than I ever realized…I am a natural connector so when

PARENTS AS PARTNERS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

Parents of college students and future college students: I have terrific news for you! Your students are in good hands. Please, let me explain… I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference for an association of higher ed parent and family program professionals. Who are they, you ask? What do they do? These are the staff on your students’

#RealLifeWonderWoman – Meet Lisa Erwin

I sat down in the auditorium for a parent orientation session–this time not as the keynote speaker or college parenting expert, but as a mom. A mom who was launching her youngest child. A mom who knows all-too-well the bittersweet feeling of letting go. Then SHE walked on the stage, her warm smile and bright eyes calming the nervous parents

How do I keep my college student safe?

You survived move-in day. Your student is engaging in college life. You are at home missing the flurry of activities and perhaps even the backpack on the hallway floor or the dirty dishes on the counter. Even though you are excited for your child, that doesn’t mean you don’t worry. You’ve seen awful news stories and heard of kids making

#RealLifeWonderWoman – Meet Mariellen Jacobs

In January, 2015, Mariellen Jacobs was in a place no mother wants to be…at her child’s bedside as he’s fighting for life. Her son Clark, a second-year mechanical engineering student, had been asleep in his fraternity house when he fell from his loft bed to the floor. He crawled back up into his bed and went back to sleep. But

Big Announcement Today!

I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it! Today is THE DAY that I get to tell you about a spectacular partnership and show you what can happen when two crazy entrepreneurial gals put their heads together.  For a couple of years, I’ve been dreaming about providing you some tangible products to help parents and students stay connected through the