Hello Phoenix Parents!

The fall semester was a whirlwind of activities for me as Wilson’s new Dean of Students as well as our wonderful students who were engaged, excited, and energetic ... resulting in a vibrant campus community in which to live, work and study!

I’d like to thank all of you for your support of Wilson College, your students, and my transition into this wonderful community of learning! Being here has truly been a blessing in my life, and I look forward to partnering with you to ensure that your student makes the most of their Wilson College experience. At Wilson, students are mastering the delicate transition from adolescence to adulthood. In addition to managing their classes, they are developing many life skills that are as vital to their success as their coursework. Therefore, it is critically important that you and college staff remain reliable sources of support as they navigate the threshold of this new frontier in their lives.

As we begin the new spring semester, I encourage you to remind your student of these helpful tips to have a successful term:
• There is no substitute for class attendance. Being present is the foundation for understanding the concepts, assignments, and projects of each class.
• Use office hours. Faculty have dedicated time to be available in their offices to help students. Encourage your student to go to their professor during office hours to check on content, test prep, or anything related to success.
• Get help. Between tutoring, writing center supplemental instruction, success coaches, advisors, and other student financial services (the one-stop shop for all matters related to billing or campus services), Wilson is designed to be user-friendly. The help your student needs is on-campus and free. Wilson College’s Academic Success Center is housed on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library. Your student should check it out.
• Reach out to the Counseling Center. If anything gets overwhelming or your student just needs someone to talk things through with, encourage them to email counseling@wilson.edu for an appointment. Sometimes college life can seem pressure-filled and lead to anxiety. There is help on campus, and soon we will add more on-line support services to this vital department.
• Check out the Career Services Office. This office develops work-readiness skills, help with internships, and all other facets of career preparation for life after college. It’s best to work with them as early as the first year – don’t wait until senior year!
• Don’t be overwhelmed with grades. College is difficult for all students. Help your student develop good habits through office hours, academic support, time-management, and study habits. If that’s the emphasis, the grades will follow.
• Get involved. The more involved in campus life a student is, the more successful they are academically and holistically. A life in balance is a productive and meaningful one.

Below are links to two wonderful parent resources for your perusal. I particularly found the new year’s resolutions for parents helpful, as well as the information regarding what to do if the fall semester did not go as well as planned academically or socially.

College Parent Central – Information for the parents of college students

 

10 Potential Pivot Points for Your College Student – College Parent Central
  
We are looking forward to a wonderful spring semester (and hope your student is too!) full of lots of exciting activities created just for them including special dinners, cultural activities, service trips, athletic contests, and spring fling events! They will be hearing more about these as the semester unfolds.

Finally, here is a list of important dates for you to remember:

Classes begin: January 23, 2023
Spring Break: March 13-17, 2023
Priority Deadline for Financial Aid: March 30, 2023

Commencement: May 13-14, 2023

May your spring be healthy, peaceful, and filled with reasons to celebrate!

Best,
Katherine Buck
VP for Student Development and Dean of Students