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New School Family News, September 2022

Welcome from Rob Mack, Vice Provost of Student Success and Engagement

Dear parents and families,

As your students’ new Vice Provost of Student Success and Engagement here at The New School, I want to take a moment to welcome you to the fall semester. Whether your student is just starting their journey with us this fall, as I am, or returning to The New School after a summer filled with internships, travel, and time spent with family, we’re thrilled to have you as a part of our community.

I joined The New School in August of this year with over 20 years of higher education experience and a background in clinical psychology, and I am excited to partner with you in your students’ success. The Division of Student Success supports students in their co-curricular life outside the classroom. Through involvement opportunities, academic and career advising, health and wellness education, and various other resources and support, we supplement the academic experience to help students achieve a sense of belonging and, ultimately, increased success.

We view parents and family members as collaborators in your student’s success, and our partnership is vital to helping our students feel connected to and supported by the university.

I invite you to consider your role in your students’ success and well-being at The New School. As you connect with your students this fall, remember to ask them about more than their grades and academic achievements. I encourage you to consider asking them some of these questions:

What are some ways you can get connected with other students?
Why is it important to take care of your physical and mental well-being?
What choices can you make today that will set you up for professional success?

It is so important that our students feel empowered to take ownership of their well-being and success, and you are vital in achieving that goal. I also recognize how challenging it can be for parents and families to relinquish control over their students' lives. They are in the driver's seat now, and as your role shifts to that of a support system and cheerleader, we are here to support you as you help your student make their own decisions.

One way you can empower and support your students is to help make them aware of the many resources available to them at The New School to help them succeed. Our goal is to empower your students to achieve personal and academic success in their brief time with us, and we hope this newsletter will serve as a glimpse into their unique experience here at The New School.

I look forward to opportunities to connect with you throughout your students’ time at The New School, including our annual Family Weekend, which will be held primarily in person at our New York City campus from October 21-23.

Thank you for choosing The New School and for being part of our vibrant community. The New School seeks to challenge convention in pursuit of positive change, and we look forward to being on this journey together with you and your students.

Warmly,

Rob Mack, EdD

Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement

Save the Date: Family Weekend, October 21-23, 2022

The New School is thrilled to welcome you to join us at our New York City campus for Family Weekend, held October 21-23, 2022. Make connections with other New School families, spend quality time with your New School student, meet New School leadership and learn more about our community.

Learn More

A student sits at a table with fliers at the Organization Fair speaking about their club to another student. Many other students are in the background chatting at other tables.

A member of Playground Student Theater, engages with a potential member at the Fall Organization Fair. Playground is a student theatre company that produces virtual and in-person theatre made for and by the New School community.

New Schoolers Find Their Niche at the Fall Involvement Fair

With the new school year in full swing, our New Schoolers are branching out and looking for ways to get involved. Last week, our Office of Student Leadership and Involvement hosted our annual Fall Involvement Fair, which showcased some of our 75+ student organizations. "Participating in the Involvement Fair was an eye-opening experience for me to see the sheer diversity of student organizations here at The New School," said Ann Kollanoor, a junior in Parsons School of Design. "Organizations that align with your interests provides community and a shared safe space to have fun!"

Here at The New School, we know that students who are involved are more likely to persist and graduate, which is why we empower our students to get involved in a community and deepen their sense of belonging at The New School. Encourage your New Schooler to visit NarwhalNation, our one-stop-shop for student involvement, to search for an organization that interests them!

Visit NarwhalNation

Gnarls the Narwhal sits across from another Narwhal having a discussion over their laptops.

Alumni Engagement Launches Meet a Mentor

Current students and new alumni are invited to participate in Meet a Mentor, a program that promotes exchange of information, stories, and experiences between seasoned alumni professionals and the next generation of New School graduates. Mentors come from fields ranging from digital designers to social justice advocates to business entrepreneurs, published writers, game inventors, fashion marketers, and more. Students can Zoom chat 1:1 for 45 to 55 min sessions and learn how to navigate their next career steps from these volunteer professionals.

Your New Schooler can ask for advice on networking, interviewing, job searching, life after The New School, succeeding at work and much more. Encourage your student to sign up today!

Student Sign-Up

A student and his mother smile and laugh in the audience at an event at The New School

Introducing the Parent and Family Council

The Office of Development and Alumni Engagement is excited to introduce the new Parent and Family Council. In addition to the leadership support of the Annual Fund, members of the Council are ambassadors, volunteers, and mentors that help unite all New School families into our university community. For more information and to join today, contact Casey Maloney at [email protected].

Email Casey