PARENT AND FAMILY PROGRAMS

Benefits of Living on Campus
Thursday, July 10, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Executive Director of Campus Living Novia Ramsey explains how living in the residence halls on Hofstra’s campus is more than just having a place to sleep and study. Making connections, safety, and a myriad of in-hall events and social opportunities are the highlights of campus living. Even if your student has not yet completed the housing application, there is still time to do so before the start of the fall semester.

Inside Scoop: What Current Hofstra Parents Want You to Know
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Join our current parent leaders of the Parent and Family Council who explain how you, as a parent or family member, can get involved at Hofstra. The Parent and Family Council Board members introduce their projects for the next academic year and share their and their students’ Hofstra journey. We welcome our Hofstra parents’ engagement so our students thrive.

From Campus to Career: Helping Your Student With Job Search
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
The Center for Career Design and Development professionals discuss effective job search strategies, resources available to Hofstra students and alumni, and how our university continues to support recent graduates as they take their next steps.

American College Experience
Thursday, August 7, 2025
9-10 a.m. ET (13:00-14:00 GMT)
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
As international students begin their college journey at Hofstra University, Director of International Student Enrollment Shannon Paul and Director of Parent and Family Programs and Assistant Dean of Students Branka Kristic will describe the academic curriculum, services for students, and answer your questions about Hofstra’s resources for international students. The session will be in English and will be recorded for later viewing.

What to Expect in the First Year of College
Monday, August 18, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Marc Oppenheim, dean of the Center for University Advising, Donna Willenbrock, executive director of Student Health, Simone Gmuca, registered dietitian, and Branka Kristic, director of Parent and Family Programs and assistant dean of students, describe the first-year milestones of the college journey. Which deadlines are important to keep in mind? When do students make appointments with their advisors and faculty? What should students do when they fall ill? We will answer all these questions and more.

Commuter Life, Campus Connection: How Hofstra Engages Students
Tuesday, August 19, 2024
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Join Anita Ellis, director of Commuting Student Services and Community Engagement, and Taylor Maultz, Associate Director of Student Leadership and Engagement, who explain  how commuters can get a full college experience and become connected to other students on campus.

Move-In Made Easy: What Resident Families Need to Know
Thursday, August 21, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
If you have any last-minute questions about the move-in, join the staff of Residence Life for this interactive session. We will describe how the move-in day will flow. Read helpful Move-In Information, including the prohibited items in the residence halls.

Chat & Check In with Jess and Dean Christy
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Senior Vice President for Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success Jessica Eads and Dean of Students Chermele Christy explain how Hofstra is preparing for the new academic year. We welcome your questions.

How Students With Disabilities Thrive at Hofstra
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Join Executive Director of Student Access Services (SAS) Caitlin Sullivan, as she describes the resources SAS provides, important accommodation policies and procedures for students, and assistive technologies available.

New Year, New Goals: Welcome Back to Campus
Thursday, September 4, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Virtual Event
Senior Vice President for Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success Jessica Eads and Dean of Students Chermele Christy would like to check in with you and speak about Hofstra’s projects and resources.

What Makes for a Successful College Student
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Faculty-in-Residence to the first-year community, Dr. Katrina Sims, and Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement, Dr. Russ Smith, share their wisdom and advice with new college students and their families. Drs. Sims and Smith are two of the three professors for the first-year first-generation academic cluster, Inventing My Future. They will provide insights for parents of students in their respective classes, and parents are invited to ask questions to gain a better understanding of their students’ experiences. As part of this exchange, Drs. Sims and Smith will co-lead a discussion of their classes’ common reading book, Make Your Home Among Strangers by Jeannine Capò Crucet. You can buy the book online. 

Parent and Family Council Meeting
Monday, September 15, 2025
7-8 p.m.
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families are welcome to join the first Parent and Family Council meeting of the year to hear about its initiatives and how you can contribute. The guest speaker will be Associate Vice President for Public Safety Geraldine Hart.

TIMELY TOPICS: Tutoring, Study Skills, FAFSA, Dining Options, Fraternities and Sororities
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families of Hofstra students are invited to join the panel of Hofstra experts who will answer their questions. The topics discussed will include:

• Academic and study skills resources;
• Mid-semester progress reports and tutoring;
• Making appointments with advisors and faculty;
• FAFSA  and billing;
• Meal options on campus and dietary restrictions;
• Student engagement in Greek life

You are welcome to bring questions unrelated to the topics above. You may email us your questions before the online session to parents@hofstra.edu.

PATH TO GRADUATION: Juniors and Seniors
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Join us as we discuss checklists for juniors and seniors regarding graduation deadlines, job search, applying for graduate school, Commencement, connecting with alumni, and more.

Difficult Conversations: Creating Calm Through Connection and Communication
Dr. Keesha Cameron, Recorded fall 2024
WATCH VIDEO
A difficult conversation with your child is one that involves a sensitive or potentially troublesome subject and may elicit strong emotional responses that are difficult to predict. However, by adopting the right approach, preparing for these conversations, and developing the necessary skills, we can handle them effectively and achieve a successful conclusion that works for everyone involved. Dr. Keesha Cameron, assistant clinical director of the Student Counseling Services and NYS licensed clinical psychologist, provides parents and family members tools on how to guide their college students through difficult moments.

Parent and Family Council Meeting & Family Weekend Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
7-8 p.m. meeting, 8-8:30 p.m. Family Weekend parent volunteer orientation
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families are welcome to join the Parent and Family Council meeting. The guest speaker will be Vice Dean for Administrative and User Services, Library Operations Sarah McCleskey. At 8 p.m. ET, the parent leaders will explain how parent volunteers will be engaged during Family Weekend, October 17-19, 2025.

FAMILY WEEKEND
Friday, October 17-Sunday, October 19, 2025
Attend the most exciting family event on campus by registering here.

TIMELY TOPICS: Student Wellness, Spring Registration and Payment Plan, Mid-Semester Advisories
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families of Hofstra students are invited to join the panel of Hofstra experts who will answer their questions. The topics discussed will include:

• Mid-semester advisories from professors;
• Programs that promote student wellness;
• Spring 26 registration;
• Spring 26 payment plan;

You are welcome to bring questions unrelated to the topics above. You may email us your questions before the online session to parents@hofstra.edu.

SAS Parent Support Network: Helping Students Thrive Together
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
7-8 p.m.
REGISTER HERE
Join us for an informational webinar hosted by Student Access Services, when Prof. Mary Banahan and Associate Director of Student Access Services Kenia Nunez will:

Review academic success strategies: Walk through a practical student checklist to better understand the key tools and steps that can support your student in achieving their goals.

Explore resources you may not know about: Learn more about the wide range of university programs and services available to help your student thrive, both academically and personally.

Hear from Hofstra parents: Gain perspective from parents of students with disabilities through “What I Wish I Knew Then, That I Know Now,” offering guidance, encouragement, and lessons learned.

TIMELY TOPICS: Triumphs and Disappointments, Choosing a Major, Payment Plan, Staying Fit
Virtual Event
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
7-8 p.m ET
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families of Hofstra students are invited to join the panel of Hofstra experts who will answer their questions. The topics discussed will be:

• Discussing hard topics with your student
• Is it OK to change the major?
• January Intersession courses
• Payment plan, FAFSA
• Staying fit and healthy

You are welcome to bring questions unrelated to the topics above. You may email us your questions before the online session to parents@hofstra.edu.

World’s Table
Monday, November 17, 2025
6-7:30 p.m.

This global food festival will kick off the International Education Week. Please consider cooking for Hofstra students and treating them with the flavors of your ethnic or regional background. The event is sponsored by Hofstra’s Government and Community Affairs, International Student Enrollment, the Dean of Students Office, and Parent and Family Council. Please let us know which dish you will cook by completing the form here. Email parents@hofstra.edu with questions.

Parent and Family Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
7-8 p.m.
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families are welcome to join the Parent and Family Council meeting and learn about its projects. The guest speaker will be Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Kelsey Wohlford.

Thanksgiving Homestay
Thursday, November 27, 2025

The Offices of Dean of Students and International Student Enrollment at Hofstra University are inviting you to participate in the Thanksgiving Homestay Program as a way to connect students who remain in the New York City metropolitan/Long Island area over the Thanksgiving break with hosts who will be celebrating the holiday. Local Hofstra families who are interested in hosting international Hofstra students for Thanksgiving are invited to complete the Thanksgiving Homestay Host Application by Monday, November 10, 2025.

TIMELY TOPICS: Finals, Scholarships, Move-Out, Graduation, Graduate School
Monday, December 8, 2025
7-8 p.m. ET
WATCH VIDEO
Parents and families of Hofstra students are invited to join the panel of Hofstra experts who will answer their questions. The topics discussed will include:

• Final exams
• When are scholarships evaluated?
• Checking out of the residence halls
• December Commencement
• Planning for graduate school

You are welcome to bring questions unrelated to the topics above. You may email us your questions before the online session to parents@hofstra.edu.

NYC Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
6-8 p.m.
REGISTER HERE
Club 101, 101 Park Avenue at 40th Street

Parents and families are invited to network with Hofstra alumni and senior administration in the heart of Manhattan. Celebrate the holiday season with us! Cost is $35 per person and includes an amazing buffet.