Parents Weekend: Bringing Families Home to the Hill
Tallahassee, Fl.- For many Florida A&M University students, life on campus is more than a college experience. It’s a supportive community filled with new friendships, traditions and memories that help shape their college journey. During Parents and Family Weekend, students had the opportunity to share that experience with the people who supported them long before they became Rattlers.
As families traveled to Tallahassee for Parents and Family Weekend Sept. 18-20, the Hill became a place where students could introduce their families to the experiences, traditions and community that have shaped their time at FAMU.
The weekend kicked off Sept. 18 with SET Friday, a longstanding FAMU tradition, featuring a yard show and performances by National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities.
FAMU students and family members gather on campus during Parents and Family Weekend
2026, celebrating Rattler pride and the university community. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff
Adams)
Florida A&M University’s Efferson Student Union and Activities plays an important role in creating experiences that help students and their families feel connected to the university. Edward Kincheon, assistant director of Efferson Student Union and Activities, said the weekend is intentionally designed with both groups in mind.
“We intentionally plan Parent and Family Weekend with both audiences in mind. Families want an opportunity to experience FAMU and better understand their student’s life on campus, while students want activities they can genuinely enjoy with their loved ones. We work with campus partners and student organizations to create a balanced schedule that includes entertainment, fellowship, University traditions, and opportunities for families to engage with the broader FAMU community,” Kincheon said.
Throughout the weekend, families experienced the spirit and culture that make FAMU unique. From walking the campus together to participating in scheduled activities, families received a closer look at the place their Rattlers call home.
Families show their Rattler pride while enjoying activities on FAMU’s campus during
Parents and Family Weekend 2026. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff Adams)
For first-year students, the weekend provided an opportunity to show their families how much their lives have changed since arriving at FAMU. For freshman Jordan Galloway, having her family visit the Hill meant sharing parts of her college experience that cannot always be explained from a distance.
“I loved showing my family my friends, my routine, and just FAMU campus in general. I miss them so much so being with them was amazing,” Galloway said.
For Galloway’s family, seeing her life at FAMU firsthand offered another perspective on how she is adjusting to college. Her mother, Verinia Galloway, said she was proud to see her daughter enjoying herself.
“Jordan is a very focused student and is super hard on herself, so seeing her have fun made me so proud. She works extremely hard, so I’m glad she allows herself to have fun,” Verinia Galloway said.
Beyond seeing their student’s academic environment, families also had the chance to experience the communities their students have developed at FAMU. Watching students interact with friends and fellow Rattlers offered families a glimpse into the lives they have created away from home.
A FAMU student poses with family members during Parents and Family Weekend 2026, celebrating
family, connection and Rattler pride. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff Adams)
“I wasn’t surprised to see her interact with so many people. Jordan is very social and open to talking, a little too much, so it was refreshing to see that aspect of her personality didn’t change,” Verinia Galloway said.
For students who attend FAMU from outside Florida, Parents and Family Weekend can carry an even deeper meaning. Families traveling hundreds of miles to Tallahassee are not simply visiting a college campus; they are stepping into the world their student has built far from home.
For out-of-state student Vaqeuriayah Fennell, having her family make the trip to FAMU was an opportunity to share the place that has become a second home.
“Seeing my family make the trip to Tallahassee to experience FAMU with me is extremely special. It shows me that even though I am hundreds of miles away, I still have a strong village back home that supports me. FAMU has become such a valuable place for me, and being able to share my journey with them has made my experience even more enjoyable. Being able to show them around campus has made me feel proud of myself and has motivated me to keep going,” Fennell said.
The visit also allowed Fennell’s family to see firsthand the friendships, community and traditions that have become part of her life at FAMU.
A FAMU student shares a joyful embrace with a family member during Parents and Family
Weekend 2026, highlighting the family connections at the heart of the Rattler community.
(Photo Courtesy: Jeff Adams)
“It makes me proud to see her having so much success at FAMU, especially since it is more than 100 miles from home. As a mom, I realize how much bravery it takes for her to step outside of their comfort zone and start her own life journey. As she has gone off to college, I have watched her grow academically, socially, and mentally. I love that even though I am so far away, I am still able to watch her grow,” said Fennell’s mother, Teneshiya Matthews.
For families traveling from out of state, the experience offered a perspective that phone calls, photos and stories cannot always provide.
“It felt really special seeing her introduce me to her different communities on campus. It has shown me that she has built a life outside of Atlanta and has grown into her own person. As a mom, I find it heartwarming to see how loved and supported she is by her community. Knowing how scared she was to leave, and watching her build meaningful relationships, get involved on campus, and grow as a young lady, is amazing to see,” Matthews said.
Ultimately, Parents and Family Weekend is about more than bringing families to campus. It is about allowing families to understand the place their students have chosen to call home.
For students, it is a chance to say, “This is my FAMU experience.” For families, it is an opportunity to see that world for themselves.
As the weekend ended, families left the Hill with memories of time spent together, new experiences and a greater understanding of the community their students have become a part of.
FAMU students and family members come together during Parents and Family Weekend 2026,
sharing smiles and celebrating their Rattler pride. (Photo Courtesy: Jeff Adams)
“We hope families leave with a stronger connection to FAMU, a better understanding of the Rattler experience, and lasting memories with their student(s). We also want students to feel supported and proud to share their campus, traditions, and accomplishments with the people who have helped them reach this point. Ultimately, we want families to recognize that they are an important part of the FAMUly,” Kincheon said.
For one weekend, the Hill was not just where students lived, learned and grew. It was where families came together to experience the Rattler spirit alongside them.
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
