Parent Coffee Chats and Webinars

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The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, in collaboration with offices across Oxy's campus, hosts virtual Coffee Chats and webinars throughout the year designed to address common concerns that parents and families have as they seek to support their student during their Oxy journey.

Oxy Parents Virtual Coffee Chats

We warmly invite parents and family members of students to join our Oxy Parents Virtual Coffee Chat series. These sessions offer an opportunity to stay informed with the latest campus news and engage in thoughtful discussions with other Oxy family members.The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement staff, along with members of the Parent’s Council, alumni or special guests will help facilitate the conversations. This virtual series is designed to foster connections among parents/family members, creating a space for informal dialogue and community building.

Dates:

4 times per year, 2nd Wednesday:

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Time: 5:00-6:00 PM (PST)
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM (PST)
Wednesday, February 10, 2027, Time: 5:00-6:00 PM (PST)
Wednesday, April 7, 2027, Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM (PST)

Webinars

For incoming first-year or transfer families, representatives from the academic affairs and residential education, housing services, and Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement (SLICE) departments will host a webinar to answer questions before a student's arrival on campus and the start of their Oxy academic experience.

The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement hosts Spring Family Webinars on topics of interest centered on specific programs and services available to Oxy students.

In addition to our slate of webinars, many videos from past programs and events are available on for families to enjoy on demand.

Past Webinars

National and International Fellowships Alumni Panel

On February 7, 2024, Oxy families joined this webinar to hear directly from accomplished alumni who have engaged in diverse fellowships after Oxy, learning how to support their students in the fellowships process.

a view of the campus Quad with benches and a biker going past

Mastering the College Transition

On October 4, 2023, the 17�Թ� Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement presented a webinar designed this to help families adjust to having young adults away at college. Topics included the obstacles of college launching, the reorganization of family, the culture of care, and the preservation of social and emotional connection.

a view of campus buildings and the open cloudy sky

Spring 2021 Virtual Town Hall for Families

On December 4, 2020, Oxy senior leadership led a virtual town hall to follow-up on the recent announcement that the Spring 2021 Semester will continue with remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included President Harry Elam, Jr., Dean of Students Rob Flot, Dean of the College Wendy Sternberg and Sara Semal, senior director of Emmons Wellness Center.

First Year Families Webinar

On Tuesday, February 20, 2020, families of first year students took part in a forum focused on the first year experience, how families can support their student's journey, and what resources are available to families.

Fall 2020 Virtual Town Hall

As a follow up to the College's Fall 2020 remote semester announcement, parents and families of first year students were invited to a virtual town hall with Oxy leadership on July 22. The forum provided a space to discuss the decision and talk about how Oxy plans to maintain academic rigor and student life and support in a virtual environment.

view of campus buildings with a large cloudy sky

HCC Resources For Parents

On May 28, 2020 the team from the Hameetman Career Center hosted a webinar for parents on resources and digital services available to Oxy students as they move through the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents and families also heard from alumnus Brian Damron '08 about what it was like to graduate during a recession and how he navigated the challenges of building his career.

Oxy's Senior Comps

On May 12, 2020, Edmond Johnson, director of academic advising, held an informational session with the parents and families of rising seniors on Oxy's senior comprehensives, including what to know about the "comps" process, and how to support your student.

oxy quad with sunlight streaming in by benches and a biker riding past

Understanding and Interpreting COVID-19 Medical Information

On May 4, 2020, Emmons Wellness Center Director Sara Semal and two of the Center's nurse practitioners, shared insights with current Oxy parents and the campus community on how to understand and interpret COVID-19 medical information, and what sources they are relying on to make decisions around the health and safety of the Oxy community.

campus buildings and a large view of the clouded sky

Supporting Your Student’s Mental Health

On April 30, 2020, the team from Emmons Wellness Center - Director of Counseling Jennifer Heetderks, Senior Staff Therapist Irma Breakfield, and Center Director Sara Semal - presented a webinar on how parents and families can support their student's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.