Image by Ed Brennen
Parent and Family Engagement Leader Haileigh Rench Fogarty, left, chats with Family Orientation participants during lunch this summer at Fox Dining Commons.
Kelly Borzilleri was feeling “all over the place” as her daughter Anna prepared to head off to college this fall.
Yes, she was happy that Anna found a school that she loves in UMass Lowell, where she will study biomedical engineering and live with other Honors College students at University Suites. But Borzilleri still felt some trepidation about sending her first child off to college.
Attending a daylong Family Orientation session this summer helped calm her nerves.
“I wanted to make sure I’m not missing any information that would help her,” said Borzilleri, who was glad she made the two-hour drive from the family’s home in Harwich on Cape Cod to attend the session in early August.
“Everything is so well-run here, so informative and very welcoming, which is nice,” Borzilleri said.
Image by Ed Brennen
Student and Family Support Services Director Marshall Greenleaf welcomes guests to a Family Orientation session this summer at University Crossing. Greenleaf was recently named president-elect of the Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals.
Nearly 600 parents and family members attended one of the 10 Family Orientation sessions this summer, the most since the Office of Family Programs was established in 2020. Nine of the sessions were in-person, while one was virtual.
The orientations are designed to provide family members with both practical information and meaningful conversations, according to Marshall Greenleaf, director of student and family support services. Sessions cover academic support, health and wellness, financial aid and more, with staff from across the university available to answer questions.
“The transition to college isn’t just for students; it’s for families, too,” says Greenleaf, who notes that Family Orientation goes beyond simply sharing resources. “Our job is to show family members how they can use those resources to support their students in a different way now that they’re at the university, so when their student calls home, they can be ready with the right kind of support.”
Family Orientation is part of a larger effort to keep families engaged throughout the year. In addition to monthly newsletters, the university hosts Family Weekend in the fall, which draws more than 2,000 participants for hockey tailgates, receptions and local excursions. Other events, such as boat tours of the Lowell canals and community outings, help families stay connected well beyond move-in day.
Image by Ed Brennen
Geo Ramos, left, and his mom, Alba Cuevas, speak with Family Orientation staff members during a visit to the Club Hub at University Crossing.
For Bidur Badal of Littleton, whose twin sons Bigya and Binamra are entering the Francis College of Engineering, Family Orientation was a chance to hear from others who are going through similar experiences.
“Some of the questions they asked, I hadn’t thought about,” said Badal, who also wanted to get a better feel for the campus where his sons will be spending the next several years. “It’s emotional and exciting. This is the next milestone in their lives.”
Parents aren’t the only ones who benefit from Family Orientation.
Mary Beth and Len Havens traveled from Connecticut to see where their granddaughter, Trillian Havens, will be studying health sciences.
“We love the enthusiasm of everyone here, which is so crucial,” Len said over lunch with other family members at Fox Dining Commons. “It’s a hard thing for us, seeing her take this big step, but the fact that everyone is so positive, that helps a lot.”
Image by Ed Brennen
Mary Beth and Len Havens, left, whose granddaughter Trillian is an incoming health sciences major, check out UML gear at the River Hawk Shop.
Geo Ramos, whose younger brother Geheremy is an incoming first-year mechanical engineering major, attended Family Orientation with their mom, Alba Cuevas.
“I’m proud of him,” said Geo, who is from Lynn. “The school is growing on me already. It’s very welcoming and family-oriented, which is important.”
Steve and Melissa Wortmann’s daughter, Abby, was recruited to play field hockey for the River Hawks, so they were already familiar with the athletic program. They traveled from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, for Family Orientation to learn more about the support she will receive as a civil engineering major.
“She’s going to be really busy, so we’re probably not going to get all the information we need from her,” said Steve, who was encouraged to learn about support services available to students. “I think she’ll succeed here.”
Image by Ed Brennen
A guest reads a Family Programs brochure during an orientation session.
Now in his 17th year at UMass Lowell, Greenleaf runs Family Programs with Assistant Director Rich Doria and a team of student engagement leaders.
Greenleaf was recently named president-elect of the Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals (AHEPPP), a national organization for university staff and faculty who engage with student families. He will serve as president in 2026 and 2027, leading efforts to expand research, professional development and best practices for family engagement.
Greenleaf says it’s gratifying to see how family members leave the orientation sessions reassured that their students are in a supportive environment during a time of transition.
“I’ll frequently hear from folks as they’re leaving, ‘I was worried about X, Y or Z, and I feel so much better now.’ Or, ‘We knew UMass Lowell was a good choice, but I wasn’t expecting this kind of support,’” he says.