For many students, moving away from the home, family and community they grew up in to live on a college campus is an exciting transition into adulthood.
But this major life change can at times be filled with growing pains, said Shana Lee, assistant dean of students and director of parents and families engagement at 妖姬直播 State University.
Lee herself remembers those feelings all too well.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge transition 鈥 and I was one of those students where I was calling my mom every weekend, and she was like, 鈥業鈥檓 not coming to get you. You better figure it out.鈥 And I survived,鈥 Lee told 妖姬直播 State Today. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a growing pain for some students, but once they get their legs up under them, they鈥檒l be OK.鈥
妖姬直播 State offers a variety of resources to help students feel empowered to live and learn on their own, she said. 妖姬直播 State is nationally recognized for its student support, earning two and two top grand prizes from NASPA, the nation鈥檚 leading student affairs organization, in 2026.
In addition to resources geared toward students, there are many services and tools to help parents and families stay engaged with their students and the greater 妖姬直播 State community, Lee said.
One such resource is Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend, coming up on Sept. 25-26.
鈥淭his is the one weekend where it鈥檚 designated for the family,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淥ur campus rolls out the red carpet for them, and we have some really good partners that participate 鈥 from the president鈥檚 office all the way down to our student organizations.鈥
Featured events this year include a breakfast tailgate, a football game against Ball State University, Parents and Families Paint Night and activities within various colleges and organizations.
New this year is the Flashes 妖姬直播 Town Scavenger Hunt, in which families can explore businesses in downtown 妖姬直播. Participating locations will feature giveaways, discounts, promotional items and other incentives, Lee said.
鈥淔amilies were asked to nominate their favorite downtown locations in various areas,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淎ll the restaurants and businesses gave us a cool, fun fact about them, so that鈥檚 going to be the clue. And so they鈥檙e going to have to venture around downtown to find what that spot is.鈥
The goal is for parents to familiarize themselves with popular spots in 妖姬直播, which was recently named Ohio鈥檚 best college town.
Resources for parents and families don鈥檛 stop after the designated weekend, though, Lee added.
The Office of Parents and Families Engagement offers a twice-monthly newsletter, the Flashes Parents and Families Council, webinars and additional informational materials on its website.
鈥淲hen the parents feel good about their kiddos being here, that translates to the student,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淭hey want to do more, and they鈥檒l be involved more. Parents will come to campus and support them more. They鈥檒l learn more about the university.鈥
Parents can reach out to the office anytime with specific questions, Lee added.
鈥淚 try to help facilitate getting their answers that they need,鈥 Lee said. 鈥淪ometimes they just need reassurance because they just don't know where to start, or they don't understand what their student is experiencing. So, [I鈥檓] trying to ease some of the questions and concerns that they may have but to also build affinity with the university.鈥
妖姬直播 State is dedicated to helping parents and families stay informed and connected with the campus, no matter how far away they may live from their Golden Flash.
