Continue Your Education, Support Your Student
We understand that the process of selecting an institution and supporting a student through college is a daunting task. Often, we get asked by parents and family members of our Bobcats, "How can I best support my student?" The best answer is to be an educated source of support.
The Parent & Family Association (PFA) is here to support you in this important role. Not only do we offer specific one-on-one support through our email and our hotline (406-994-7359), but we also provide webinars as an opportunity to further understand collegiate challenges and strong family support so that your student may develop into a professional, independent, and well-rounded graduate!
Webinars are live, online programs with both video and audio elements. The PFA webinars are free, although currently limited to the first 99 registrants on a first come, first serve basis. You will not need to buy any additional software, although a free download or two may be required to make sure your computer is up-to-date.
Watch Previous Webinars - On Demand
April 2013 - Student Experience Webinar
March 2013 - Good Neighbor Webinar
February 2013 - Career, Internship & Student Employment Services
January 2013 - Financial Literacy
November 2012 - The Office of Student Success
October 2012 - Academic Advising @ MSU
March 2012 - Student Support and Resources @ MSU
Student Experience
Recorded: Tuesday, April 23, 6:30 PM Mountain Time
This webinar featured leaders from across MSU campus including and allowed parents a candid look into life at Montana State.
- Kiah Abbey, outgoing Student Body President, discussing student engagement
- Lindsay Murdoch, Incoming Student Body President, discussing student government
- Emily Bergem discussing student resources on campus
- Ian Jones, discussing leadership opportunities
- Kyra Flatow, discussing student organizations
- Lane Nordlund ,discussing Fraternity and Sorority Life
Good Neighbor Webinar
Recorded: Monday, March 25, 6:30 PM Mountain Time
This webinar addressed with parents and families how their student can be a “good neighbor” in the MSU community. We hosted a panel of guests to address the goals of informing parents of the living options of their students, reminding parents that their student is part of the community and a representative of Montana State University while they are living in the community, and to inform parents as to how their students can become responsible community members.
Career, Internship & Student Employment Services
Watch Now
Recorded: Monday, February 11, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Mountain Time
Career, Internship & Student Employment Services serves MSU students by providing inspiration, information and opportunities to connect their academic pursuits with career development, internships and employment opportunities. This office works with students from the beginning of their academic experience to the end, promoting and developing an orientation towards career maturity and planning by following a comprehensive career planning model. This webinar provided an understanding of the important services and dates involved in your student exploring their future and securing that student job, internship, or career successfully!
Financial Literacy: Making Sense of College Finances
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Recorded: Thursday, January 24, 2013 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Mountain Time
This webinar brought together experts in financial literacy to educate you about the resources available at MSU. Our experts will address Financial Aid, fee payment options, financial planning resources, loan counseling, and budgeting! This will be a beneficial webinar for families of prospective students and graduating seniors alike. Watch this webinar and become more financially savvy about college finances! We hosted experts from the following areas:
-MSU's Family and Consumer Sciences Program
-Student Assistance Foundation
-Financial Aid
-Student Accounts
-Office for Student Success & Office of Financial Education
The Office of Student Success: A One Stop Shop For Academic & Transitional Support
Recorded: Thursday, November 15, 2012 - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Mountain Time
The Office of Student Success is a fantastic resource that you should know about as family members! This office hosts study skills workshops, the ChampChange Program, SmartyCats Tutoring (it's free!), MSU 101, Student Success Advisors, and much more. These programs and the staff at the Office of Student Success have one goal in mind - to get your student to graduation! The Parent & Family Association also sponsors the version of the Parent & Family GUIDE, a handbook for parents and family members. This webinar will help you learn more about assistance can be found in this office and will provide experts in this field to provide advice on how to best support your student during their time at MSU and beyond.
Supporting Your Student Through Encouraging & Preparing For Academic Advising
Recorded: Wednesday, October 24 - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Academic advising at MSU goes beyond which classes your student should take and when. Instead, your student's academic advisor should be someone with which he or she creates a close bond throughout the entirety of your student's college career. This webinar will help you better understand how academic advising works at MSU, important advising timelines, why it is important for your student to be talking with his or her academic advsior, and how a student should prepare for academic advising. We also addressed other opportunities such as internships and exchange experiences as well as why they are important.
Representatives from the following offices were present for the webinar:
- Dean of Students Office
- University Academic Advising Center
- National Student Exchange
- Faculty Advising
- Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and Pre-Professional Advising
- The Registrar's Office
- Office of International Programs
Student Support and Resources @ MSU
Recorded: Monday, March 19th - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Our first webinar focused on a handful of the very beneficial organizations/offices/services that are available to all MSU Students. Representatives from a variety of offices came together in the form of a panel to discuss what services they can provide for your student.
Representatives from the following offices were present at the webinar:
- Dean of Students Office
- Office for Community Involvement
- Office for Student Success
- Career Services
- Financial Aid
- Disability, Re-Entry, & Veteran Services
- Residence Hall Advisory Committee
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- The University Academic Advising Center
This webinar will not only provide you an opportunity to better understand services available to your student(s) but also interact with them by asking specific questions you may have about a particular service.
