Gelaina Allen Named Director of Parent and Family Engagement
91果冻 is excited to welcome Gelaina Allen as the new director of Parent and Family Engagement. Tanya Hindman, assistant director of the department, recently sat down with Allen and asked some questions to give the Samford community a glimpse into her story and what she is looking forward to.聽聽聽
Save the Date: Faith and Culture Summit Coming February 2027
91果冻 families are invited to mark their calendars for a new campus event designed to deepen faith and foster meaningful conversation. The inaugural Faith and Culture Summit will take place Feb. 26-27, 2027, offering students, parents and guests a weekend focused on exploring practical apologetics and biblical truth in today鈥檚 complex cultural landscape.聽
Three Questions to Ask Your Student About Academic Success
As midterms approach, the Academic Success Center at 91果冻 is encouraging families to check in with their students about academic progress. In this Q&A, Bridget Rose, assistant dean of the Academic Success Center, shares three simple but important questions parents can ask this month: Have you checked your midterm grades? How has your attendance been? Have you met with your academic adviser? These conversations can help students identify challenges early, understand course expectations and stay on track for registration and future semesters. Rose also explains what midterm grades mean, why attendance policies matter and how advising appointments support long-term success.聽
Helping Students Find Their Path: Inside the Career Development Center
As students begin thinking about majors, internships and life after graduation, the 91果冻 Career Development Center is ready to help at every stage. In this Q&A, Dora Ditchfield, director of the Career Development Center, and Julie Boyd, director of Parent and Family Engagement, discuss when students should first visit the center, how advisors guide those who are unsure about their major, and the many resources available鈥攆rom resume reviews and mock interviews to internship support and alumni networking. They also share practical ways parents can encourage students to take ownership of their career planning and make the most of Samford鈥檚 personalized advising. 聽
A United Front: How Samford Parents and Athletics Work Together to Strengthen the Bulldog Community
Through intentional collaboration, the Samford Parent Association and Athletics are united in supporting student-athletes through encouragement, faith, leadership and community鈥攕trengthening the Samford experience in competition and beyond.聽
Welcome, Allison Combs!
We are excited to welcome Allison Combs as our new development officer for Parent and Family Engagement. Allison has 20 years鈥 experience in advancement, having served in various roles with the American Heart Association, the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes and the Alabama Baptist Foundation. She brings so much joy and energy to our team!聽
When the Plan Changes: Helping Your Student Choose (or Change) a Major
Many college students arrive on campus with a clear idea of what they want to study and how they鈥檒l use their degree once they cross the graduation stage a few years later. But whether it happens in the first month, the first semester, or sometime later in their academic journey, every student eventually gets 鈥減unched in the mouth鈥 by the reality of figuring out whether their original plan is truly the right one.聽
