AHEPPP History and Timeline

AHEPPP’s history follows the growth and development of parent/family services in higher education over the past 12 years. It has been an incredible journey beginning with 10 women with a common dream and expanding to 49 inaugural members, and now holding membership for 90 schools across the country. We are so thankful that amazing professionals such as you have supported AHEPPP along the way.

• 1998 – First nationally recognized conference for parent/family program professionals (Administrators Promoting Parent Involvement (APPI) in Boston,  Hosted by Susan Brown, Director of Parent Programs at Northeastern University)
• September 2007 – First meeting of founding members to draft “Best Practices” for the field of Parent Programs, with the vision of CAS standards as our model
• March 2008 – Original AHEPPP proposal developed
• March 2008 – First executive officer named (Executive Director, Sarah Schupp)
• April 2008 – Second executive officer named (Chair of the AHEPPP Board of Directors, Colleen O’Connor Bench)
• April 2008 – AHEPPP officially formed
• May 2008 – Official press release announcing AHEPPP’s formation
• October 2008 – First official Board of Directors meeting
• February 2009 – AHEPPP Website launched
• March 2009 – AHEPPP receives Certificate of Incorporation
• April 2009 – AHEPPP has 11 colleges and universities in membership
• September 2009 – Second Board of Directors meeting to plan first conference
• September 2009 – Third executive officer named (Vice Chair, Kris Stewart)
• November 2009 – AHEPPP Listserv launched
• November 2009 – First edition of “The Cutting Edge” (Online Newsletter)
• February 2010 – First edition of AHEPPP Journal
• April 2010 – The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) approves standards for Parent & Family Programs approved
• June 2010 – AHEPPP institutional membership climbs to 68
• October 2010 – CAS associate membership approved
• October 2010 – CAS Standards for Parent & Family Programs adopted
• November 2010 – Inaugural National Conference
• November 2010 – 75 AHEPPP Members
• January 2011 – 92 colleges and universities are members of AHEPPP from 36 states
• October 2011 – Inaugural Drive-In Conferences launched
• October 2011 – Drive In Conference hosted by Ohio University
• November 2011 – AHEPPP Board Meeting held in Boulder, CO
• November 2011 – Drive In Conference hosted by University of Maryland
• November 2011  – Drive In Conference hosted by Appalachian State University
• November 2011 – AHEPPP membership climbs to 136 schools
• January 2012 – Drive In Conference to be hosted by Reed College/University of Oregon
• January 2012 – AHEPPP Journal published, Volume 2, Number 2

We know these accomplishments will only grow. We began with nine member institutions, grew to a membership of 49 during the first year, and currently have membership of 90 colleges and universities across the country. The strengths, experience, and involvement of our members provide the key to AHEPPP’s continued growth and development. We look forward to a strong 2012 and encourage members to become even more involved.