The University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering identified a need to better engage families during the first-year transition, especially as students navigate a rigorous academic environment. With a large incoming class and limited capacity for in-person family programming, the team needed a scalable way to provide consistent, timely guidance.

To address this, they launched a customized ParentLingo course aligned with the first six weeks of the semester. The course equips families with essential information on academic expectations, student autonomy, campus resources, and the transition from high school to college. Content is delivered in a flexible, self-paced format and includes videos, conversation starters, and direct links to campus resources.

Aligned with key milestones such as early exams and adjustment challenges, the course helps families better understand what their students are experiencing and how to support them effectively, without overstepping.

By centralizing communication and providing structured, accessible guidance, CU Boulder expanded family engagement and strengthened the support system surrounding first-year engineering students.