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Billiken Parents and Families

Office and Parent and Family Engagement

Welcome to the SLU community! As part of the Billiken family, you play an integral role in assisting with the transition and success of your student into the Saint Louis University community. Saint Louis University's Office of Parent and Family Engagement provides resources, communications and services for families to assist with navigating SLU so that your student can succeed in the college environment.

Whether you live across town or the globe, we know a part of you is at Saint Louis University as long as you have a student here. Parents and families are a valued part of our SLU community, every member of which is devoted to the academic and personal success of students.

Join our What's the Scoop at SLU? Webinars

Goals of the Office of Parent and Family Engagement

The goals of the Office of Parent and Family Engagement are to:

  • Enhance communication between the University and the families of Saint Louis University students
  • Present to the University family perspectives on the student and family experience at Saint Louis University
  • Engage families in activities that promote the University and enrich students’ educational development and the collegiate experience
  • Develop the family community as a resource for the University
  • Assist the University administration in identifying and encouraging parents, families and others to support the mission of the University 

To Get Started

The First-Year Experience

Student helping new SLU family move in, pushing cart to residence hall
On move-in day, our student Oriflamme team will help you and your Billiken move into the residence halls. 

It all starts with SLU 101; both you and your student will attend sessions to help prepare you for the year to come.

View SLU 101 for Parents and Guardians

Next, we’ll see you at Fall Welcome. The first few days on campus not only assist our first-year students in their transition to Saint Louis University, but offer resources and programs for you too. 

Learn More About SLU's First-Year Experience

There are lots of opportunities to stay involved with your student and the SLU community from that point on, including Homecoming and Family Weekend (what you might think of as Parent Weekend) and Billiken Parent and Family Association events throughout the year. 

Learn More About Parent and Family Events

Director for Parent and Family Engagement

Kesha Williams, Director of Parent and Family Engagement

Kesha Williams is the inaugural director for parent and family engagement in the Dean of Student Office at Saint Louis University. She received both her undergraduate and a graduate degree in Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. 

She has worked in higher education for over 30 years and in several areas of student affairs. Williams has been working with families for over 15 years. She understands and appreciates the critical role families play in their student's college education. 

Williams is a member of the Association of Higher Education Parents Promoting Professionals where she has served as a former board member, co-chaired several committees, and co-authored a book with other parent-professional colleagues called College Ready: 2021 & 2022 Expert Advice for Parents to Simplify College Transition.

She looks forward to working with Billiken families to help provide the resources and support they need as well as assisting the St. Louis community.

Key Fall 2023 Dates
9/22

Homecoming and Family Weekend

10/26

Fall Break Begins

11/22

Thanksgiving Break Begins

12/11

Final Exams Begin

Staying Connected With Your Billiken

FERPA: Requesting Academic Records

Your student has complete control of his or her academic record. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, is a federal law controlling the confidentiality of, and access to, student education records. Once a student reaches 18 years of age or attends a post-secondary institution, he or she becomes an "eligible student," and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student.

If you’d like to access your student’s record, you can request that he or she create a mySLU Share account that allows a third-party — including a parent or family member — to access certain records. For example, a student may choose to release financial aid or grades. This is entirely your student’s choice, and all issues of access need to be discussed with your student.

Visit the Registrar's Office