Family Experience
Welcome to the Ram Fam! We're thrilled that your student has chosen to attend West Chester University. Now that they're part of WCU, you are a member of the Ram Fam, too!
The Office of Student Experience is here to support all parents, families, and supporters as you are supporting your Golden Ram throughout their college journey. Research indicates that family involvement contributes to student success, and students benefit when their family supports and shares in their university experience. Not only do we support your involvement in your student's life, we encourage it!
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunities to stay connected to the university, to your student's journey, and that you will continue to play an active role in your student's life.
Rams Up!
- Kelsey Frank, Student and Family Experience
stay informed with ram fam central
Ram Fam Central, our family engagement platform, is your gateway to University communication and support. By signing up for Ram Fam Central, you can join communities relevant to you, receive newsletters, and engage in discussion with other parents/families of WCU students. Ram Fam Central gives you the tools and resources you need to stay connected, informed, and involved in your student’s college experience.
Important Family-Specific Websites
Ram Fam Central
Being part of the Golden Ram Family, the Ram Fam, extends beyond our physical campus. The Office of Student and Family Experience is excited to provide Ram Fam Central, a personalized communications platform to enhance your experience, allowing you to customize the information you receive. The goal of Ram Fam Central is to ensure you receive the most relevant news items and special notices at just the right time in your student's journey.
Ram Fam Central is your one-stop-shop for:
- Access to important campus news, updates, and deadlines
- Newsletters with the ability to personalize in content and frequency
- Announcements via email
- Opportunities to connect to your student and view final grades, financial aid requirements, GPA changes, and more!
Additional Information:
Accessing Ram Fam Central
West Chester University parents and family members are automatically imported to Ram Fam Central as their undergraduate student enrolls at the university. Once imported, you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to complete the registration process. Accounts imported into the platform still requires verification of account information and completion of the Welcome Survey. If your contact information changes, please update your Ram Fam Central profile.
If you did not receive an email notification sharing that you have been imported into Ram Fam Central, please follow the instructions below!
- Visit the Ram Fam Central login webpage.
- Select “Sign Up” and follow the prompts to create account login information.
- When prompted, customize the user experience by completing the Welcome Survey.
- Sent to the email address provided and upon completing the Welcome Survey, you will receive a confirmation email. Failure to complete the confirmation email will result in limited access to the portal, including but not limited to inability to make or view comments.
Selecting Communities
Ram Fam Central communities offer additional content personalization based on things you are interested in such as Student Life, Athletics, Safety, etc. Some communities may be pre-populated per Welcome Survey responses.
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- On the left, under “I’d like to…,” select “Discover Communities.”
- Under “West Chester University Communities,” add your profile by selecting “join” and remove by selecting “leave.”
Personalizing Newsletters and Emails
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- At the top of the portal homepage, select the silhouette icon and then select “Edit Notification Preferences.”
- Under “My Notification Settings,” adjust communication messaging and frequency.
Establishing a Student Connection
Ram Fam Central offers Student Connections - a way for students to connect to a parent or family member in Ram Fam Central and grant access to view final grades, financial aid information, GPA changes, and more! Access to your student’s educational record is protected by The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that students have the option to authorize access to other individuals if they so choose, including parents or family members, and have full control over what information is shared. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student and determine if establishing a connection is right for you. Follow the steps below to begin establishing a connection!
- Login to Ram Fam Central with your self-selected email address and password.
- Click the graduation cap icon in the top-right corner of the page. Please note that your student must approve the request and access to their educational information is protected by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) & WCU’s Privacy Policy.
- Enter your student's West Chester University email address. Note: A student's email will follow the format FLast###@wcupa.edu, where F is their first initial, Last is their last name, and ### are the last three digits of their RamNet ID.
- Parents and family can request access to:
- Class Schedule/Enrollment Information
- Grade(s) Information
- Financial Aid Information
- Holds on Account
- If your student approves the connection, you will be able to access their information the following day as the system updates nightly.
Save the Date: November 6-8, 2026
Join us for Family Weekend to celebrate your students, connect with our campus, and experience the WCU community for yourself! We encourage all members of our Ram Fam to join us for a fun-filled weekend. This website will be updated as events and details for Family Weekend become available. Contact the Office of Student and Family Experience with questions at ramfam@wcupa.edu.
Family Benefits
As a member of the Ram Fam, you have access to additional benefits and special touches to support your student. Below is a list of currently available benefits/resources. Keep checking back to see what additional benefits are added!
Care Packages
WCU's Office of Student and Family Experience has partnered with CampusCube, the premier college care package company. The colorful boxes are loaded with healthy snacks, quality personal care items, useful gadgets, and each package includes a beautiful gift card printed with personal messages of love and support. Packages are available for special events such as birthdays, holidays, graduation, and for busier academic times such as midterms or final exams. The best part? The care package(s) are delivered right to your student's door in their residence hall!
Ram Fam Advisory Council
About the Advisory Council
The Ram Fam Advisory Council is a representative group of WCU family members and supporters who have committed to volunteering their time, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and serving as an advisory group for the University in collaboration with the Office of Student and Family Experience. It offers an opportunity for members to directly impact the student and family experience, offer valuable feedback to University administrators, and connect with other WCU families.
Ram Fam Advisory Council Members:
- George Guido | West Chester, PA
- Deb Dash | Syosset, NY
- Rob Dash ('91) | Syosset, NY
- Yvonne Tejada | Royal Palm Beach, FL
- Janis Michels | West Chester, PA
- Steve Hocker | York, PA
- Regina Higgins | Prospect Park, PA
- Dia Williams Adams | Morton, PA
- Ellen Nonnemacher | Reading, PA
- Jacki Sop | Norwood, PA
- Bridget Bonner | Drexil Hill, PA
- Jeffrey Stein ('91) | Downingtown, PA
- Gina Marandola-Tincu | Philadelphia, PA
- Kenya Minor | Horsham, PA
- Beth Garofola ('06) | Marlton, NJ
- Jennifer Diffley | Souderton, PA
- Jill Dougherty | Springfield, PA
- Dee Selgrath | Sanatoga, PA
- Dori Amtmann | Doylestown, PA
- Amy Clevinger | Horsham, PA
- Colleen Cancila | Mullica Hill, NJ
Eligibility
- Must be a parent or family member of an undergraduate student at West Chester University.
- Must be able to commit to a one-year term (with the option to renew for a second year).
- Must share a belief that family support enhances student success.
Please note, WCU faculty, staff, and students are not eligible to apply or serve. Family members who are employed by the University interested in serving are encouraged to inquire about non-Council volunteer opportunities!
Commitment and Responsibilities
- Attend monthly Zoom meetings.
- Attend biannual Council meetings in West Chester, PA (lodging and travel at your own expense).
- Serve a one-year renewable term.
- Contribute to our family engagement platform, Ram Fam Central, by writing posts, answering discussion board questions, etc.
- Represent the Ram Fam Advisory Council at parent/family events such as orientation, commencement, first-year send-offs, etc.
- Provide strategic input to administrators regarding issues of importance to parents and families.
- Assist with recruitment of future Council members.
- Maintain communication and frequent contact with the Office of Student Experience staff.
Council Member Benefits
- Help shape the parent and family experience at WCU.
- Maintain involvement with your student's education institution.
- Increase your knowledge about University resources and programs that support student success.
- Opportunity to engage with University faculty and staff on a regular basis.
- Opportunity to meet and network with other WCU families.
- Invitations to special events.