When Swarthmore College launched its Family Ambassadors program last year, the goal was straightforward: Create a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive community for all families, including those of first-generation and low-income (FLI) students. Looking back on the first year of the program, both the families involved and the College itself say that the results have exceeded expectations.

“We decided to do more to engage and support parents and families post-pandemic,” says Michelle Flint, associate director of Alumni and Family Programs, who spearheaded the program.

“I researched other successful family ambassador programs around the country, and designed Swarthmore’s program to represent the best of everything I’d seen,” she adds. “Our vision is for all Swarthmore families to feel like they belong here, to know how they can engage with Swarthmore, and to have a community they can turn to with questions.”

Building Belonging

The new program brings together 18 family members who serve as informed ambassadors of the College. They are organized into three committees:

• New Family Welcome Team: introducing families to Swarthmore through regional events, on-campus receptions, and one-on-one outreach
• Career Ambassadors: offering career expertise, networking opportunities, and partnerships with Swarthmore’s Career Services and the Center for Innovation and Leadership (CIL)
• First-Generation and Low-Income (FLI) Ambassadors: ensuring that families of FLI students feel especially welcomed and understood

This structure allows volunteers to “play to their strengths and pick projects they are passionate about,” Flint says. The variety of committees has already proven effective in both welcoming new families and building connections that extend far beyond campus.

A Warm Hug in New York

For Adam Kushner P’27, who serves on both the New Family Welcome and Career Ambassador committees, joining the program was about giving back.

Kushner, an architect and contractor, used his skills and his home to host incoming students from the New York City area. The event provided a chance for new students to meet upperclassmen, ask questions, and calm their nerves before arriving on campus.

“I will remember that the event in our home was like giving the incoming community a warm hug,” Kushner recalls. “It truly felt like we were about to embark upon and become part of a new family. I felt closer to it. And not just the parents or students, but my fellow Ambassadors. I have a new team to play for and we are all very supportive of each other.”

Giving Back Through Support

For Christa Rapoport P’26, who serves on the FLI committee, the program offered an opportunity to recreate the kind of support she once received.

“My older student’s college had a strong family support program, which helped answer my numerous questions and helped me feel less anxious as a parent,” she says. “I wanted to give back that feeling to new college parents. Creating an environment of support was important to me. Engaged students make engaged alumni and create strong alumni networks.”

Rapoport sees her role as part guide, part connector.

“It is to learn about college resources so that we can share accurate information,” Rapoport says, adding that one of her favorite parts has been the relationships she has formed. “I got to meet smart and enthusiastic parents and that is always a bonus.”

Impact on Families

From Flint’s perspective, one of the most rewarding outcomes of the pilot year was how well the FLI committee’s efforts were received.

“We know that FLI students, who make up about 25% of the student body, receive extraordinary support through the FLI office, other student support offices, and the faculty,” she says. “We want to ensure that the families of these students also feel welcomed and supported. Our FLI committee ambassadors make a point of introducing themselves at our events, and parents do tell them their presence makes them feel especially welcomed. Stories like that tell me we are making the kind of difference we want to make.”

The positive reception wasn’t limited to FLI families. Across the board, families said the events helped them feel connected and confident about navigating Swarthmore’s services. Many also appreciated being introduced to resources such as SwatLink, a new mentoring and networking platform.

“The most consistent feedback I received from the ambassadors is that they felt like they had a real opportunity to make a difference,” Flint says. “I think the best feedback of all is that most ambassadors returned this year.”

Looking Ahead

While the first year was considered a pilot, the lessons learned will guide the program moving forward. Successful events like Summer Send-Offs, Orientation receptions, and Garnet Weekend panels will become annual traditions. The Career Ambassador committee is also expanding efforts to connect families with ways to support students professionally — through internships, networking, and mentoring on SwatLink.

Looking further ahead, Flint envisions broadening the program’s reach.

“As we grow over time, we would like to be intentional about recruiting ambassadors from all the major U.S. regions and hosting more in-person regional events,” she says. “We also plan to add international ambassadors, so that our Family Ambassadors are truly reflective of the Swarthmore community.”

Recruitment is ongoing, with applications opening each spring. Families who attend events are encouraged to apply, ensuring new ambassadors already understand the program’s mission.

For Kushner, Rapoport, and their fellow volunteers, that mission — helping families feel at home at Swarthmore — has already taken root. As Kushner put it, “We’ve all been there, and I was hoping to create a warm and inclusionary environment.”

With its first year now behind it, the Family Ambassadors program is poised to be a cornerstone of the Swarthmore experience — for students, parents, and families alike.

If you’re interested in joining or connecting with the Family Ambassadors program, email familyambassadors@swarthmore.edu to learn more.