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The Office of Parent and Family Engagement

»Parent Spring Summit

Parent Spring Summit 2025 is scheduled for Friday, February 28 - Saturday, March 1. Programming for the weekend includes the State of the University by President Struppa, sessions designed to provide you with tools to best support your student, activities to encourage your family to explore the campus, and opportunities to connect with other families. Registration will be open from Friday, January 3 -Friday, February 21. You can register here to attend Parent Spring Summit.

Thank you to our sponsor:

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The 2025 schedule of events can be viewed below. 


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Friday, February 28, 2025

10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Check-in and Information Center  
Check-in for Parent Spring Summit and stop by throughout the day with any questions for our staff or volunteers.
Location: Chapman Plaza by Charles C. Chapman Statue

8 a.m.–7 p.m. | Explore the Hidden Treasures of Chapman University’s Leatherby Libraries – Open House Event 
Join us for an Open House at the Leatherby Libraries! Discover the Center for American War Letters Archive and California's Gold Exhibit on the lower level, visit the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library and the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections & Archives on the fourth floor, or explore our captivating study spaces, exhibitions, and displays. We look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning and exploration. 
Location: Leatherby Libraries 

11 a.m.–12 p.m. | State of the University Address
Join President Daniele Struppa as he provides updates on the incredible successes of the past year along with the exciting things to come for Chapman University in the future. 
Reservation not required for this event.
Location:
 Musco Center for the Arts

12–1:30 p.m. | Family Lunch Featuring Key Note Speaker Jerry Price, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students + Resource & Program Fair
Following the State of the University, enjoy lunch with your student and hear from Dean Price about the student experienceWalk through the Resource and Program Fair to learn more about different departments, graduate programs, commencement, and volunteer opportunities at the University. 
Lunch is complimentary; registration is required.
Location: Attallah Piazza 

1:45–3:45 p.m. | Panels by Class Year
Attend the panel most relevant based on your student's class year.

Panel for 1st and 2nd Year Parents 
Join a panel created for parents and families of first- and second-years to provide essential information to support your student during this stage of their Chapman journey. Hear from Student Engagement, Residence Life, Center for Global Education, and Career & Professional Development about class scheduling, housing for next year, study abroad programs, and securing internships.
Location: Memorial Hall

Panel for 3rd and 4th Year Parents
From Campus to Career: Insights from Recent Alumni
Join us for an engaging conversation featuring recent alumni as they share their unique journeys after college. Designed for third and fourth-year parents and families, this event offers valuable insights into navigating life beyond graduation, building careers, and leveraging Chapman's alumni network. Gain inspiration and practical advice to help prepare your student for their own post-college adventure! Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Career & Professional Development. 

4–5:30 p.m. | Fowler School of Engineering Mixer 
Kick off Parent Spring Summit weekend with the Engineering Mixer at Swenson Family Hall of Engineering! Join us on Friday for an engaging evening where parents, families, and loved ones are invited to meet with the Dean, faculty, staff, and students at the Fowler School of Engineering. Learn about the incredible projects and achievements of our engineering students and gain valuable insights and resources to help support your student during their journey at Chapman University.  
Location: Swenson Hall 106, Tech Shop

Dinner Options

4–6 p.m. | Parent & Family Dinner Sponsored
 by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for an inspiring and engaging event featuring Steve and Tamala Lewis! 

Steve Lewis: A 4-time U.S. Track and Field Olympian who represented Team USA in Seoul, Korea, and Barcelona, Spain. In 2004, Steve was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2019, he received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame. 

Tamala Lewis: A dynamic community leader, former dancer, and recording artist. Tamala currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Affairs at AEG's Dignity Health Sports Park, where she continues to make an impact through her dedication to community engagement. 

This is a rare opportunity to meet two extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions in sports, entertainment, and community leadership. Don’t miss the chance to hear their inspiring stories and connect with these remarkable trailblazers! 
Location: Argyros Forum 209AB 

Dinner In Old Towne Orange
Enjoy a bite to eat in Old Towne Orange! Several local restaurants are offering exclusive Parent Spring Summit discounts when you show them the digital flyer or your participant nametag given at check-in.

Saturday, March 1, 2025

10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Check-in and Information Center  
Check in for Parent Spring Summit and stop by throughout the day with any questions for our staff or volunteers. When you arrive, come grab a scavenger hunt with instructions to play for a chance to win prizes!
Location: Chapman Plaza by Charles C. Chapman Statue 

10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Mimosa Brunch by Region + Family of the Year Award
Enjoy brunch and mimosas (21+) while meeting other families from your area. Students have submitted nominations for Family of the Year. The winner and nominees will be recognized during this event. 
LocationAttallah Piazza 

11 a.m./2:30 p.m. | Men's Baseball vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges
Show support for the baseball team during their double header. Learn more here.
Location: W.O. Hart Park

12 p.m. | Women's Lacrosse vs. Whittier College
Show support for women's lacrosse as they take on the Poets. Learn more here.
Location: Holly & David Wilson Field

12–2 p.m. | School and College Breakout Sessions
 
Learn more about your student’s school or college by attending a breakout session.

12–2 p.m. | Argyros College of Business
Economics  
Join the Argyros College of Business & Economics for the Dean's Leadership Lecture Series featuring Adam Cheyer, founder of Siri, Inc. After the lecture, families can choose from a variety of activities, including exploring the Janes Financial Center, receiving an overview of the Leatherby Entrepreneurship Center, or participating in a virtual reality demonstration in a classroom setting.

12–2 p.m. | Attallah College of Educational Studies
Attallah College will be hosting a Q&A session and panel for parents to learn more about the college’s Integrated Master’s programs with Dean Miller and students in the Integrated programs. Through these programs, students can start taking graduate level classes as early as junior year of their undergraduate program. Refreshments will be provided.

12–2:30 p.m. | College of Performing Arts
Join the College of Performing Arts for a welcome by our Dean, Dr. Anne Hogan, an overview of career support within the College of Performing Arts by Connor Bogenreif, Assistant Director of Career Development and Alumni Engagement, and a Showcase of our students' talents from the Department of Theatre, Department of Dance, and Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music followed by a Q+A panel with the student performers. 
Location: Salmon Recital Hall, Bertea Hall 100 

12–1:30 p.m. |
Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences 
A Q&A session for parents to learn more about the undergraduate experience and opportunities after graduation for Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences students with Dean Hill and two guest speakers. Following the session, view an Anatomy Table and technology demonstration, and student research opportunities overview. Refreshments will be provided.  
Location: Crean Hall 149

12–2:30 p.m. | Dodge College of Film & Media Arts
12–1 p.m. How Hollywood Works with Dean Stephen Galloway 
A hundred years ago, Hollywood was centered on a few major studios, all interested in one thing: making movies. Today, it’s a vast, multi-tentacled universe, where the “majors” are just a small part of giant corporations with many other interests. As streaming, globalism and Big Tech transform the industry, we look at how it’s changed and where it goes from here. 
Location: Folino Theater, Marion Knott Studios

1–2:30 p.m.
Alumni Panel: Launching a Hollywood Career 
Want to know what it takes to launch a successful career in Hollywood? Find out how! Hear from a panel of young alumni working for some of the biggest names in the business. Moderated by Associate Professor and Dodge College Director of Industry Relations Joe Rosenberg. Panelists to be announced! 
Location: Folino Theater, Marion Knott Studios 

12–2 p.m. | Fowler School of Engineering 
Engineering in Action: An Interactive Family Experience with the Fowler School of Engineering 
Saturday offers an enriching experience tailored to explore the vibrant world of engineering at Chapman. Families are invited to participate in hands-on workshops in our Makerspace, where you’ll get a taste of the creative and technical skills students are building here. In addition, families can hear directly from our faculty about their research, industry partnerships, and innovative teaching practices. With faculty and staff ready to answer your questions, this is a perfect opportunity to dive into the student experience at Chapman Fowler School of Engineering. 
Location: Ideation Zone, Swenson Hall, Keck Center N107 & N109 

12–2 p.m. | Schmid College of Science & Technology 
Join us for a conversation with Dean Michael Ibba about the resources available to help your student achieve their goals in the sciences. Following Dean Ibba’s introduction, he will host an alumni panel, which will be a chance to ask questions of our graduates about their post-Chapman career paths. Following the panel, enjoy a tour of the Keck Center from current students. 
Location: McCardle Steps, Keck Center  

122 p.m. | School of Communication
School of Communication students will discuss their internship experiences in a moderated panel with the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the panelists. Parents are encouraged to bring their students to this session.
Location: Beckman Hall 107 

121 p.m. | Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Join us for a conversation with the Associate Deans and Career Manager of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to learn more about the undergraduate experience and career resources available within Wilkinson to prepare your student for life after Chapman. 

Weekend FAQs

Can my student attend Parent Spring Summit with me? 
Yes! Your student is welcome to join any session and/or event with you during the weekend. If their schedule allows, we encourage you to invite them to attend with you. 

Check-in and Information Booth
Check-in will be at the Chapman Plaza by the Charles C. Chapman Statue on Friday, February 28 from 10:30 a.m.4 p.m. and Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m.2 p.m. Staff and volunteers will also be available to answer questions at this location.

Can I register on-site?
Due to pre-event logistics, those who have not registered by Friday, February 21 will only be admitted to sessions if space permits. 

What should I bring or wear?
Dress for the weekend is casual. Show your Panther Pride with Chapman apparel or your favorite red, black or white clothes. 

Where is Parent Spring Summit? 
All events will be located in various areas on the Orange Campus. 

Where should I park?
Register your vehicle for free parking.

Are any events available virtually?
The State of the University Address will be live streamed. The slides for the Panel for 1st and 2nd Year Parents and the From Campus to Career: Insights from Recent Alumni will be available on the website following the weekend. Other events will only be available in person.

Where should I stay?
We recommend our sponsor, the Ayres Hotel. You can view additional local accommodations here.

Campus resources and places to visit 
Chapman University Agora Gift Shop
Hours of operation during Parent Spring Summit Weekend:
Friday, February 28, 9 am4:30 pm
Saturday, March 1, 9 am1 pm

Hilbert Museum of California Art
Location:167 N. Atchison Street - just west of the main campus, across from the Orange train station. Free parking in lot in front of museum or in the city structure one block east.
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.5 p.m.
Admission: Free

Questions?


For questions about the Parent Spring Summit ticketing site; contact:
Ticketing Services
(714) 997-6812
ticketing@chapman.edu


For General Inquiries:
Office of Parent and Family Engagement
(714) 997-6558
pantherfamily@chapman.edu