University of Houston’s Family Weekend event wins Program of the Year

DSA News
March 20, 2024

The University of Houston (UH) Dean of Students Office received the prestigious Program of the Year Award for UH’s Family Weekend Program from The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) during the 2024 ACPA Entity Awards held on March 20, 2024. The award recognizes programs that promote student engagement, creativity and successful programming that enhances the campus culture at their institution. In recent years, UH’s Family Weekend has shown itself to be distinctive, entertaining, and a beneficial support system to the UH student community and their families. Extremely competitive, a wide variety of higher education institutions from throughout the country were in contention for this award that historically recognizes high-quality student engagement and impactful programs that successfully foster a sense of belonging and community for its institution.

The Family Weekend program is coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Students and led by Associate Dean of Students, Dr. Jerrell Sherman. Under his leadership, Family Weekend has set its two highest attendance records to date, has incorporated more university departments and student organizations, and expanded the educational sessions and entertainment provided throughout the weekend.

Dr. Sherman stated “Receiving the Program of the Year designation from ACPA, a respected student affairs association, is truly an honor for our UH community. This distinction suggests that our parent & family programs area is moving in a positive direction.” Dr. Sherman also acknowledged the great foundation set by his predecessor, “I would be remiss to not give credit to my predecessor who oversaw parent & family programs at UH prior to my arrival, Ms. Andrea Mitchen. She left behind helpful event outlines, ideas, professional affiliations records, campus resources, and volunteer support systems which I have been able to cultivate to enhance our present-day events and resources.”

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Donell Young J.D., spoke on the importance of Family Weekend and extended kudos to Dr. Sherman for his outstanding effort that made the Dean of Students Office earn this national award possible.

Dean Young stated, “The University of Houston welcomes all Cougar families for a weekend-long celebration of UH’s campus and culture. With a wide array of activities, students and their families can tailor their Family Weekend experience to their interests as they explore and connect with the UH community. As a parent of college students, I am honored to host Family Weekend events in which families and friends have the opportunity to attend events and enjoy time with their Coog Student. Congratulations to Dr. Sherman! I appreciate his continued leadership with Parent and Family Programs and look forward to where he takes the program in the future! You Are the Pride!”

UH Family Weekend provides the opportunity for families and supporters to reconnect with their UH students and experience the Coog life. Weekend highlights included educational sessions at the Student Center, campus tours, dine like a student, family movie night, family feud, Friday dinner with entertainment, football game tailgate with entertainment, academic and honors college open house festivities, family photo shoots, health and wellness classes, and athletic events.

Founded in 1924, ACPA is an internationally recognized association serving student affairs and higher education professionals. For more information, visit the ACPA website.

Written by Dr. Jerrell Sherman, Associate Dean of Students – Student Affairs