Nicole Bigley
Chapman University welcomed families to campus for the 2026 Parent Spring Summit, held Friday, February 27 through Saturday, February 28, reminding us why the partnership between Chapman and its families is one of the University’s greatest strengths.
The weekend opened with the State of the University Address, where President Matt Parlow took the stage at the Musco Center for the Arts with a clear message: continue. Building on Chapman’s momentum, President Parlow and other university leaders reflected on the University’s progress and presented their vision for Chapman’s future.
Following the address, families gathered for the Family Lunch, featuring remarks from Jerry Price, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, on students taking ownership of their college experience. College is challenging by design, and Dean Price reminded families that how students respond to setbacks matters just as much as the setbacks themselves. Nearly 40% of Chapman’s alumni attended the university during Dean Price’s tenue. As he prepares to retire this May, the lunch carried special significance, particularly for families with multiple students and alumni who called Chapman home under his leadership.
Preparing Families for What’s Next
The weekend’s programming reflected Chapman’s commitment to equipping families with the knowledge and perspective to support their students. One of the most resonant sessions was AI at Chapman, where Provost Mike Ibba led a timely and wide-ranging conversation on what artificial intelligence means for students today and in the years ahead. He and the panelists encourage students to embrace AI – to let it work for them, and use it to expand their capabilities – while emphasizing that students must remain in control and not lose their own voice and judgment in the process.
Chapman 101 sessions are new this year. Rather than following a set curriculum, families were invited into a choose-your-own-journey experience — selecting sessions across three time slots based on what mattered most to them and their student. Topics spanned study abroad, student health, campus involvement, undeclared majors, life after graduation, and more. The new format put families in the driver’s seat, echoing Chapman’s highly personalized student experience.
School and college breakout sessions rounded out the academic programming. Families heard directly from current students and alumni on moderated panels, gaining candid perspective on what it’s like to learn, grow, and launch a career from within their student’s specific college. Career advisors and program directors walked families through the resources available to students, from internship pipelines to industry connections. Other colleges opened their doors for hands-on discovery, with tours of anatomy labs, engineering workshops, and research facilities giving families a firsthand look at where their students spend their time. Whatever students are studying, there were sessions designed to deepen understanding of their paths.
Recognizing Senior Families
Saturday morning’s Mimosa Brunch brought families together by region and served as the occasion to recognize parents of seniors who have been actively involved throughout their student’s four years: volunteering on campus, serving on panels, hosting and attending welcome receptions, and organizing parent meetups. Among those honored, Mamie Lee was brought to the stage for her efforts in community building: organizing Bay Area parent meetups, welcoming incoming families at receptions, and volunteering on campus during visits with her daughter, Madison.
Building Community Beyond the Classroom
The weekend also created space for the quieter, more personal moments of connection. The Office of First Generation and Promising Futures hosted an intimate dinner and engagement session led by Dr. Stephany Cuevas, who guided a meaningful conversation on the role families play in their student’s success — one that left attendees feeling seen and supported. And both evenings drew families out into Old Towne Orange, where local restaurants offered exclusive Summit discounts and the streets of Chapman’s hometown provided the perfect backdrop for winding down after a full day.
Continue, Together
Parent Spring Summit is a reminder of what makes Chapman’s community distinctive. Families came together from across the country to connect with the people shaping their students’ experience and to see firsthand the place their students now call home. The message of the weekend was the same as the one delivered from the Musco stage: continue. Continue showing up, continue learning, and continue being part of a community that is better because families are in it.
