Parents & Families

Volunteer Opportunities

Please contact the Parent Hotline at 803.786.3856 if you want to get involved with any of these opportunities. 

Career Development Opportunities

This program provides parents with the opportunity to help students by sponsoring internships or job shadowing experiences. 

Family & Friends Weekend

Volunteers will share their ideas to assist the Columbia College Activities Board and Office of Student Activities with planning these events. In addition, volunteers assist with registration and set-up needs on the day of these events.

Serve on Panels 

The College holds different events, such as Accepted Students Day, Summer Orientation, and Registration. Family members are always needed to serve as panelists. 

Move-In Day 

Our volunteers answer questions, promote upcoming family events, and welcome parents to Columbia College.

Parent & Family Advisory Council 

Parent and Family Association members seeking an active role in the association can apply to serve on the Parent & Family Advisory Council. The Council members are ambassadors for the College and meet twice a year.

The primary role is to:

• Help recruit students;
• Recommend programming activities for the Parent and Family Association;
• Give feedback about university programs;
• Discuss issues of concern to family members;
• Recommend content for publications;
• Participate in campus events like Family & Friends Weekend; and
• Assist with the recruitment of prospective Parent & Family Advisory Council members.
• Who is eligible for the Parent Advisory Council?
• The Parent & Family Advisory Council consists of family members of full-time undergraduate students who are in good standing at Columbia College. It is our intention to select family members who represent our diverse student population. In order to ensure continuity on the Council, members are asked to make at least a two-year commitment. 

What is expected of a Council member? 

Parent Advisory Council members are expected to attend biannual meetings. Council members will have the opportunity to learn more about college departments and services, as well as provide feedback on any topic of interest or concern to them as Columbia College family members. Responsibilities of council members include the following. 

• Participate in Family & Friends Weekend. (Families of incoming first-year students will be exempt from this duty in order to attend activities with their student.) 
• Provide feedback to the Division of Student Affairs staff concerning the association’s programs, publications, services and any other aspects of institution activity.
• Maintain regular communication with the Parent and Family Association staff.
• Identify and approach prospective council members.