Parents and Families of Current Students

Welcome Parents and Families!

The transition from home to college is significant for students, parents, and families. At North Park University, parents and families are viewed as members of the North Park family and partners in the educational process.  As a campus we work to provide assistance to parents and families by anticipating some of their questions and concerns.

Please continue to visit the University website to find out the latest news and happenings in the lives of North Park University students, listings of campus events, and other useful information. We hope this will be a helpful point of ongoing connection between you, your student, and North Park throughout the academic year.

We look forward to meeting you; please let us know if we can be of service to you in any way. We trust your visits to campus will be frequent and enjoyable.

For more information, please email the Office of Student Development  or call us at (773) 244-5565. 

Being Connected

Focus on the important issues: Communication

You now have a new role as a parent of a college student. You are becoming a mentor for your son or daughter. He or she will be encountering adult responsibilities and choices. You can become a trusted adviser in the process of making those decisions. An essential piece of mentoring is effective communication. Try to listen without evaluation or judgment. Listen without: fixing” the problem. Take notice of verbal and nonverbal behavior. Asking open-ended questions will encourage dialogue and assist with the adjustment to their new roles.

How can families help?

• Attend festivities, sports outings, fine arts events or even visit for the weekend
• Convey your confidence is his or her ability to navigate around this new environment
• Encourage your student to visit professors during office hours to get help or discuss academic performance
• If your student seems to be depressed or anxious, encourage him/her to talk to a counselor at the Counseling Support Center or go to the Office of Student Care
• Even though this may be a time of increased academic pressure, encourage your student to achieve a sense of balance including a healthy diet, adequate sleep and exercise and relaxation
• Send a Viking Care Package