President's Parent Advisory Council

This synergistic collaboration has enabled Dean students to achieve their full potential and has created an impressive ethos of trust and mutual respect. Recent accomplishments and recognition in academic programs, extra-curricular activities, facilities, and strategic planning create an ideal environment to improve on the already very strong reputation of Dean College. Since parents have played such a central role in the growth and development of the College, it is appropriate that parents are engaged in meaningful ways in charting the future of Dean and in maintaining its special student-centered ethos. To that end, in 2008 the College established the President’s Parent Advisory Council (PresPAC).

As the constituency that cares more about the student than any other, the insights of parents on how to maximize student performance and to optimize response to individual student needs is invaluable. Similar to the College, parents share a vision for a collegiate experience that instills knowledge and wisdom, responsibility and integrity, critical thinking and communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a global society.

The PresPAC functions as a “think tank” or “sounding board” responding to potential new strategic initiatives and assessing current programs and services. In both cases, candor and creativity will produce thoughtful and realistic recommendations to the President. Equally important, the PresPAC serves as a powerful advocate promoting the mission and programs offered by Dean. Resources play a pivotal role in a college fulfilling its mission and achieving its goals. Like the Board of Trustees, the PresPAC helps to attract resources and articulate the distinct, even unique, mission and programs of Dean College to a variety of audiences.

While most members are parents/family members of current students, to ensure continuity a few are parents of former students. The PresPAC meets twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring.

Issues addressed by PresPAC will include assessing current programs, exploring new academic and student-life initiatives, and developing techniques and plans to raise money to fund new or improved current programs. PresPAC members will receive periodic updates from the President and/or staff members, including calls or visits to identify how they can help Dean College. Finally, individual PresPAC members may assist the President from time to time with a strategic issue, recruitment activity, or to help raise funds for a targeted project. Consistent with Dean policy, the PresPAC will be evaluated annually to insure relevance and strong performance.

By joining the President’s Parent Advisory Council, your annual gift minimum of $1,000 (including cumulative recurring gifts) to any fund at Dean College provides you with many opportunities to be involved throughout your student’s four years at the College.

Donate now to become a member of the President's Parent Advisory Council

For more information, contact JJ Alberts at jalberts@dean.edu or 508-541-1664.

ADMISSIONS

• Work with the admissions staff to represent Dean at a College Fair in your area, which includes promoting Dean College, talking about your child’s experience, and providing a parent’s perspective on the college search process
• Make congratulatory phone calls to families of admitted students

MARKETING

• Provide a testimonial to be used in promotional materials
• Allow yourself to be videotaped for use in Admissions promotional materials

FUNDRAISING

• Make connections to corporations or foundations for Dean to help the Office of Institutional Advancement with grant opportunities and funding assistance
• Make a financial gift to Dean; financial support is crucial to Dean College
• Host an alumni/parent event in your area