As Grand Canyon University’s Welcome Week concludes, students prepare to begin their college journey while parents face the challenge of separation. The university’s Parent Council plays a role in supporting families during this transition, offering opportunities for parents to connect with the campus and each other.
Parent Council President Todd Kinley spoke with parents during Welcome Week about ways to engage with the university community. “We are here to help and encourage parents as they go through the process of their students going to college,” Kinley said. “Parents are in the college experience just as much, even if it’s all about the student. They have deep feelings, and this is a hard transition for them. Whether it’s the first child going off to college or it’s the last child going off to college and they are going to be empty nesters, they are kind of freaking out about what’s the next steps and where they are headed.
“It’s all very unique and different to each family. We just want to be there to support and encourage them in the process and make sure that someone is looking out for them too.”
The Parent Council, whose members live across the country, returned for major events like Welcome Week. In partnership with Welcome Programs, they hosted daily meetups such as Coffee with the Parent Council, a Lope Family Sendoff event, prayer walks around campus, and more. These gatherings allowed parents to learn about involvement opportunities at GCU.
From Monday through Wednesday, council members met families on campus over doughnuts and coffee, shared information about upcoming events like Family Weekend in October, and distributed university merchandise.
Trish Pullin leads social media efforts for the council. “The mission of the Parent Council is very clear: It’s to help parents and the students,” Pullin said. “I asked my son, who is a sophomore now, before I interviewed with the council, if he is OK with this, and he said yes, so he is just as excited for me as I am for him.
“We are from North Carolina, and I love being involved because it makes me feel closer to my son without actually being close.”
The council has up to 18 members working year-round to foster an encouraging environment for families nationwide. Through groups like Lope Family and Soul Care—which aim to connect GCU families in their home states—parents can build relationships outside of campus.
Brandi Binkley attended Welcome Week from Illinois as her son started his freshman year at GCU. “Our son is a freshman now and the first one off to college. This is a very exciting moment, and we are going to miss him a lot, but that is what the mission is,” Binkley said. “We are from Illinois, and to send your kid across the country to have an opportunity like this is major.
“The Parent Council has been a really great resource for us. The support for me and my husband has made us feel comfortable allowing our son to come here. With the Christian values of GCU and knowing that people are going to watch out for your child is really helpful.”
On Thursday morning at Antelope Gymnasium, families participated in worship led by alumni along with encouragement from University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin and Director of Spiritual Life Erik Nelsen.
Griffin offered words based on Proverbs 3:5-6 while Nelsen led prayers among those gathered.
“I am just blessed that this is a Christian university, and I was really blessed by the surrender to the Lord,” Michele Iddings said after leaving her daughter at GCU for her freshman year. “I am trusting that this is the next step in her journey.”
For more coverage on student faith activities at GCU’s Ignite worship event visit https://news.gcu.edu/gcu-news/students-faith-sparked-at-ignite-worship-event/.
