Parent Advisory Council

The University of Kentucky’s Parent Advisory Council is a volunteer group of approximately 30 parents and family members of undergraduate students who wish to share feedback about the student and family experience and get more involved with the Wildcat community. Council members: 

• Attend two on-campus council meetings per year (fall and spring) 

• Recommend programming activities for the Office of Parent and Family Engagement

• Give feedback about university programs 

• Discuss issues of concern to family members 

• Recommend content for publications 

• Participate in campus outreach events 

• Assist with the recruitment of prospective students and council members 

• Parent Advisory Council members are expected to attend biannual meetings. Traditionally, one meeting is held in the late fall (usually late September or October) and one in the spring (usually in February). Meetings dates are announced well in advance and are typically held on campus on a Friday night or a Saturday morning for several hours. Council members have the opportunity to learn more about university departments and services as well as provide feedback on any topic of interest or concern to them as UK family members. Parent Advisory Council members may be removed from the council without notification after missing three consecutive meetings upon the recommendation of Parent and Family Engagement staff.

• Parent Advisory Council members are asked to volunteer for at least one major Family Weekend event (i.e. check-in, tent party, breakfast, etc.) and will have opportunities to volunteer at other events throughout the year. Please note that Parent Advisory Council members will need to register for Family Weekend to attend events, even if they are planning to volunteer.  

• Parent Advisory Council members are expected to provide feedback to the Parent and Family Association staff concerning programs, publications, services, and any other aspects of institutional activity. 

• Parent Advisory Council members are expected to maintain regular communication with the Parent and Family Engagement staff. 

• Parent Advisory Council members are expected to identify and approach prospective council members. 

• Parent Advisory Council members are NOT required to give money to the University of Kentucky, though there are ways to be more involved with UK Philanthropy if that is desired. 

The Parent Advisory Council consists of family members of full-time students who are in good standing at UK. 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. Members in good standing will have the option to renew their membership annually for as long as they have students enrolled at the University of Kentucky. Many of our members serve on the council for the majority of their UK student’s undergraduate career.

Currently, our Parent Advisory Council members bring a variety of experiences and have students who represent a few different colleges and communities. In 2024, we will be looking for approximately 10 new Parent Advisory Council members who can speak to pieces of the student experience that are not currently represented on the council. Any family member or friend of a current full-time student in good standing is welcome to apply; priority will be given to applicants whose student(s) are:

• first-generation
• transfer students
• international students
• majoring in the fields of education, fine arts, agriculture, or design.

• Meetings are good excuses to visit your student each semester. 

• Council members get to know university administrators and learn more about UK programs and services. They also enjoy the opportunity to get to know other UK family members. 

• Previous council members have expressed their satisfaction in knowing that they are supporting and assisting UK students and their families as well as staying involved in their student's education. 

• While it is a volunteer position, there are small tokens of appreciation in the form of free meals and UK swag. 

Applications to join the Parent Advisory Council will open in late fall.

Applications will be reviewed by Parent and Family Association staff beginning in December; new members will be selected and notified in December. New council members will begin their term in January and will be expected to participate in virtual onboarding before the first Parent Advisory Council in-person meeting in February. 

Spouses/partners are welcome to join council members for volunteer opportunities throughout the year. However, if spouses/partners would like to attend council meetings and take advantage of tokens of appreciation offered throughout the year, they will need to complete an individual application and be accepted to the Parent Advisory Council. New members will only be accepted in December and will not be accepted in the middle of a council term.