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by BRITTANY PENLAND
News Reporter
Beginning this semester, Appalachian State University will establish a new faculty position allowing improved communication between families and their students.
Student Employment Coordinator Traci D. Royster will be appointed as the first director of Parent and Family Services.
The new position at the university was created in response to the growing relationship between families and their student’s college life.
“This position will
really be the main office if parents have questions or concerns, but to
also cultivate our relationships with parents and keep them informed,”
Royster said.
The goal
of creating the director position is to construct a healthy middle
ground where parents allow students to gain independence on their own,
but are still well informed, Royster said.
As well
as serving the university community, her first actions as director
include housing focus groups for parents to voice their concerns, as
well as establishing fundraising opportunities for the school.
“I love
being with students, that is my calling,” Royster said. “That’s what I
am supposed to do; is to be with people, so this is perfect for me.”
Nationally,
universities have redefined how they interact with students and
parents, and Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy
A. Wallace has noticed the partnership between families and students strengthen over the years.
“Our
goal is for a student to have the most enriched, engaged, undergraduate
experience possible and I think that happens when we work closely
together,” Wallace said.
She said
goals for the addition of the director position include the creation of
an electronic newsletter and improving Parent Day to allow families to
be involved in their student’s academic setting.
Royster will also be in charge of orientation and will continue to build on its positive aspects already in place.
Each of these changes will take place in September.
The search to fill the position was advertised online as well as in print and produced qualified candidates nationwide.
“[Royster] just had a tremendous and varied set of skills to bring to the position,” Wallace said.
Along
with being an alumna of Appalachian, Royster remains involved with the
university and participates in multiple organizations including advisor
to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a member of
Ladies Elite Service Organization, Minority Women’s Leadership Circle
and president of Appalachian’s Alumni Council.
“I have
for years worked with parents in many different facets on this campus,
so I think to really hear what their needs are and try and meet those
needs is exciting to me,” Royster said.
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