AU is committed to the holistic development, support, and engagement of students. We work to provide transformational co-curricular experiences that are reflective of the University’s mission to foster intellectual curiosity, build community, and empower lives of purpose, service, and leadership. We center students and their experiences at the core of our work, and endeavor to help them find their place at AU; to belong, thrive, grow, and graduate. This session will cover the many ways students can get engaged and involved on campus, and the offices that support them in exploring interests and creating opportunities to make the most of campus life at AU!

We recommend that you visit our website about Student Engagement as this will be our focus for this session.

Register for Building Belonging with Student Engagement

Tuesday, October 10 | 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

As we start the new academic year and your Eagle settles in to classes, the campus and the city, we know that you'll have new questions and concerns. We'll use this time together to introduce you to Raymond Ou, our new Vice President of Student Affairs and re-introduce you to some of the key resources that help to support your student during this transition. 

Recordings of this and all of our webinars are shared to our YouTube playlist as featured above on this page. 

Register now for our Fall Family Welcome.

 

7 - 8 p.m. ET

How is your student guided through the process of choosing courses, declaring a major, finding support to meet academic challenges, and ultimately mapping and realizing a unique plan that carries them into the future? Find out what happens to help your student make the most of an AU education. 

While this is focused on the undergraduate experience for those who are new to AU, anyone is welcomed to join us. 

This session will cover: 

1. Early Milestones: Where are your students now? 
2. The Path Ahead: What is next for your students? 
3. Staying on Track: What's available at AU to help students thrive? 
4. Partnering with Families: What can you do to help your student succeed?

In advance of this session, you may find it helpful to review the range of resources available through the Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Support Services.

Register for Navigating Academics

November 9 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

Let's talk about student stress. How can we help our students to develop healthy coping strategies so they are better equipped to manage the inevitable challenges of college life? And how can we support them in ways that promote self-efficacy and resiliency when they call for help? Join with staff from the Well-Being center to review resources for students and effective tips for families. 

In advance of this session, you may find it helpful to review the range of resources available through the Well-Being Center.

Register for Supporting Your Stressed Student

November 16 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

As we work together to navigate current world events as a community, we invite our Eagle families to join us for a webinar to learn more about our campus safety and support resources.

We appreciate the engagement and feedback that you, our Eagle families, have shared with us over the past few weeks. We know that Eagle families and supporters have many concerns and questions. During this webinar, campus leaders will share updates and details about enhancements to our secuirty protocols, updates on ongoing investigations, and personal safety practices. We'll also discuss a broader range of campus resources and some of the policies and procedures that inform our work.

We invite you to submit questions with your registration or email to auparent@american.edu.

Register for Safety and Support Resources

November 20 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is already coming to a close! Whether your Eagle is coming home for Thanksgiving or not until Winter Break, you're probably eager to see them soon. Along with all the laundry, your student will also be bringing home new ideas, new social networks, and even some new habits and behaviors. Join us in discussion with Join Andrea Brenner to learn more about what you might expect during this transition for you and your students.

Andrea Malkin Brenner, PhD is a college transition educator and author who speaks frequently with high school students and parents on the challenges related to college transitions. She draws on her 25 years of experience as a sociology professor at American University, as the creator and former director of the AUx program, and as the faculty director of our University College program.

Register for Home for the Holidays

December 6 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

For our social fraternities and sororities, spring recruitment is only weeks away. Whether your student is just curious about the new member process or they're already a proud member of the community, we're pretty sure that you've got some questions.

This session will be scheduled in advance of the spring recruitment season beginning for our three councils. Staff will help explain the fraternity and sorority community makeup, what they do, how they recruit, and how we all work to foster connection and student thriving through the Fraternity and Sorority Life experience. 

In advance of this session, you may find it helpful to review the range of resources available through the Fraternity and Sorority Life website. 

*Students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours at AU, post high school graduation or be a transfer student with 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university to participate in recruitment activities in spring semester.

Register for It's All Greek to Me

February 15 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

AU offers a comprehensive array of resources, programs and services to assist students and graduates with their career development. There's so much more here than resume critiques and job listings! In this session, we'll hear from experts in our Career Center as well as our business and international service schools to talk about our resources for students, how we cultivate relationships with employers, and how families can best support their students. Some of the trends we're spotting might surprise you - join us to learn more! 

In advance of this session, you may find it helpful to review the range of resources available through the Career Center.

We invite you to submit questions with your registration or email to eaglefamilies@american.edu.

Register for Supporting Your Student in the Job and Internship Search

February 22 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience on so many levels. Between picking the “right” program and thriving in a new culture, it seems like there are countless decisions to make.  In this session, the AU Abroad team shares how you can help your student choose a program, finance their studies, and access health and student services while overseas.

Before participating in this session, you may find it helpful to visit the AU Abroad website.

We invite you to submit questions with your registration or email to eaglefamilies@american.edu.

Register for AU Abroad: A Family Webinar

March 7 | 7 - 8 p.m. ET

There have been significant changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In this session, we'll walk through the key elements of the FAFSA with AU's own Shirleyne McDonald, Director of Financial Aid. This session will focus on need-based (not merit-based) aid and is best suited for parents/sponsors of undergraduate students.

Before participating in this session, you may find it helpful to visit the Financial Aid Office's website. We invite you to submit questions with your registration or email to eaglefamilies@american.edu.

Please note: Questions that are specific to your student's financial situation are best addressed directly with their financial aid counselor.

Register for Filing the FAFSA