Parents and Families

Our Approach to Family Engagement

Brown collaborates with families to empower our students.

Our Approach to Family Engagement

Brown collaborates with families to empower our students.

Students with suitcases on Brown campus during move-in day

At Brown, we share a common goal with our students' families—to empower students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

This often requires parents to let go and parent in different ways while continuing to empower students to take responsibility for their academic and personal journey. Brown encourages this by communicating with students directly and allowing them to control the flow of their information.

We support the families of our students through this always exciting, sometimes bittersweet, journey.

Brown’s Department of Parent and Family Engagement makes information easily accessible by providing the Parent and Family Webinar series, semesterly newsletters, and other regular updates on this website. Through in-person and virtual events, families can learn about their student's life at Brown while getting to know administrators and other families.

Our Expectations and Commitments

  • STUDENTS are encouraged to challenge themselves academically and personally in developmentally appropriate ways. Through Brown’s Open Curriculum, they have the autonomy to select their classes and choose extracurricular activities, manage their information, and maintain their health and well-being. They are expected to advocate for themselves within the University’s vast network of support resources.
  • PARENTS AND FAMILIES are encouraged to support and care for their students as they grow into this new phase of their lives. They should communicate regularly with their students while empowering them to develop independence, grow self-confidence, and learn the skills to navigate Brown and the world as independent, successful adults.
  • BROWN UNIVERSITY is committed to student-centered learning, helping students navigate campus resources that support their holistic well-being, academic success, and personal growth. We appreciate that every family is unique, and we strive to welcome families by providing opportunities for learning, communication, and connection.

Department of Parent and Family Engagement

The Department of Parent and Family Engagement provides support and resources for parents and families as they navigate the University experience while empowering students to be increasingly independent curators of their own educational experience. Through education, including regular webinars; communication, including newsletter and website content; and community-building opportunities, such as our Parent & Family Welcome and Family Weekend, the department strives to make all families feel welcome and included in the Brown community and supported as partners in their student’s success.

Established in 2021, the Department of Parents and Family Engagement is functionally situated within the Division of Campus Life and coordinates across the University.

Director of Parent and Family Engagement

Webpages for Parents and Families

Many departments at Brown offer news, newsletters, events, resources, and information for parents and families of students. Visit some of these resources via the links below.