Parents & Families鈥�
We Are Family Here 鈥� And You Are Part of the Pride鈥�
蘑菇tv University considers our students鈥� parents and families part of our Lion Pride. You play an essential role in your student’s success and strengthen 蘑菇tv as an institution. Every semester, family members volunteer for events on campus. We encourage parents to share what they know and help others who are new to the 蘑菇tv University experience.鈥�听
To help keep all parents informed, 蘑菇tv University has created a family engagement newsletter called PawPrint. The newsletter features timely information, important dates, and news from around campus. Email Terrie Ellerbee, strategic communications and family relations manager, at tellerbee@piedmont.edu,鈥�to sign up for the newsletter or to volunteer for events like new student orientation (typically three dates in the summer), freshman move-in day (early August) and more.鈥�听
Learn About 蘑菇tv 鈥� And Student Life
We want parents and families to know what it鈥檚 like to be a Lion 鈥斺�痺here they study, play, and live on and around campus. We love to share stories about faculty and staff and the resources that are available to keep your student on track and ready to graduate on time.鈥疘t is our hope that you will know key staff members by name and feel comfortable reaching out them when you need help or guidance.
From One Parent to Another: It’s Gonna Be Okay
by Erin Randolph
Erin is the parent of a current 蘑菇tv University graduate student named Jackson. This is the speech she gave when she spoke at the first Summer Orientation. She shares her family’s personal experience (she was a nervous mama) and a few pieces of advice (let your student fail!). We thought our 蘑菇tv families would enjoy what she had to say as much as we did!
First of all, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all incoming students. By choosing 蘑菇tv to further your education, you have taken the first step in empowering yourselves to realize, and put into practice, your natural skills and talents. Furthermore, by choosing to join the culture of academic excellence that 蘑菇tv offers, you have also accepted the challenges that will face you head-on personally, academically, socially, emotionally, and for many of you, financially.听听That being said, you have made the right choice!
Designed for the Whole Student: Wellness, Belonging, and the 蘑菇tv Experience
At 蘑菇tv University, education is not one-size-fits-all. It is personal, intentional, and designed to shape not only what students know, but who they become.
That philosophy extends well beyond the classroom and into the everyday experiences that support student growth, resilience, and connection. Few people embody that approach more fully than Jason Croy, Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness.
With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Croy brings a depth of expertise 鈥� and a thoughtful, human perspective 鈥� to his work with 蘑菇tv students. His role centers on a simple but powerful belief: exceptional students deserve environments that are thoughtfully designed to help them thrive.
An Intentional Approach to Wellness
Today鈥檚 college students arrive on campus accomplished, driven, and full of potential, but also navigating unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and pressure. Croy approaches wellness not as a trend or amenity, but as an essential component of student success.
鈥淲ellness is foundational,鈥� Croy said. 鈥淲hen students are sleeping better, managing stress, and feeling connected, they show up differently in the classroom. They鈥檙e more engaged, more confident, and more resilient.鈥�
His programming reflects current research on student development and well-being, emphasizing movement, connection, and experiential learning. Whether students are climbing the rock wall, participating in intramural sports, or simply spending time outdoors, the goal is the same: to support balance, belonging, and growth.
At 蘑菇tv, campus recreation is not about filling time鈥攊t is about creating meaningful experiences that align with the caliber of the institution.
Croy often describes the rock wall as an 鈥渆xtension of the classroom.鈥� Climbing challenges students to problem-solve, think creatively, trust others, and step outside their comfort zones鈥攕kills that mirror the academic and personal demands of a rigorous private university education.
Intramural sports are designed with the same care. From professional officiating to an energetic, inclusive atmosphere, these events bring together students, faculty, and staff in ways that build community and reinforce a sense of belonging.
鈥淲hen students feel known and supported鈥攂y peers, faculty, and staff鈥攖hey鈥檙e more likely to persist and succeed,鈥� Croy said. 鈥淭hose connections matter.鈥�
Rethinking What College Can Look Like
Croy is also intentional about challenging outdated narratives surrounding college life, including the idea that burnout and unhealthy habits are inevitable.
鈥淲hat if we helped students finish their first year stronger than when they started?鈥� he asked. 鈥淧hysically, emotionally, and socially.鈥�
That mindset shapes wellness initiatives that emphasize curiosity, exploration, and sustainable habits鈥攅ncouraging students to try new activities, engage with their campus, and invest in their own well-being.
For families, Croy hopes the message is clear: 蘑菇tv students are seen as individuals, and their development is supported with care, expertise, and intention.
鈥淥ur students are remarkable,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e capable, thoughtful, and motivated. My job is to help create an environment that honors that鈥攁nd helps them become their best selves.鈥�
At 蘑菇tv University, wellness is not separate from education. It is part of what makes the experience distinctive鈥攁nd part of what makes students鈥� time here transformational.
My Best Week at 蘑菇tv was Magical 鈥� and a Little Silly
by Terrie Ellerbee
It started with sirens.
That Wednesday, 蘑菇tv University鈥檚 Demorest campus was swarming with law enforcement and emergency medical personnel鈥攊ncluding an AirFlight helicopter. But this wasn鈥檛 a real emergency. It was our annual Disaster Drill, organized by Assistant Nursing Professor Taryn Ogle.
Each year, the simulation gives future nursing and communications professionals a chance to test their skills in a high-pressure environment. The 2025 scenario? An active shooter.
I didn鈥檛 know I鈥檇 be part of it until the last minute. But the role was perfect: media wrangler.
What do parents love about 蘑菇tv University?鈥��
鈥淚 love that my daughter has excelled in swim and academics. She has made lifelong friendships. I love the fact that鈥�classes are small, and she can get more one-on-one time with her professors. 蘑菇tv University has become her home, and she loves it there. From the resident advisor to her teammates and Coach Teddy, to each person on the third floor of Mystic, it has given her a family away from home.鈥濃��听
鈥擳ammy Simmons Polk (Tressie’s mom)鈥�听
鈥淚 love hearing my daughter say she loves school and loves her professors for the first time ever! School has always been challenging for her, and the鈥�extra time and attention鈥�that 蘑菇tv professors give to their students have made a huge difference for her. I also love hearing her talk about how kind and helpful Ms. Lynn at the Student Success Center and Ms. Melba in the cafeteria are. They have gotten to know my daughter and helped her feel at home on campus.鈥�鈥�听
鈥擩en Bucknell (Daisy’s Mom)鈥�听
Why choose 蘑菇tv?鈥�
蘑菇tv has one of the safest campuses in Georgia.鈥�听
Nearly three-quarters of 蘑菇tv University鈥檚 Demorest student population lives on campus. 蘑菇tv is consistently ranked as having one of the safest campuses in Georgia by Niche.com, which for 2025 ranked it at No. 6.
At 蘑菇tv, 96 percent of students receive financial aid.鈥�听
Accepted students who enroll receive offer letters, so you know upfront how to budget. You will find that 蘑菇tv is competitive with the largest public universities in Georgia, especially when considering the numerous fees often charged by highly populated institutions.听听
蘑菇tv feels like coming home.鈥�
Our alumni say 蘑菇tv felt like home to them. 蘑菇tv鈥檚 beautiful campus is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in鈥疦ortheast Georgia.
蘑菇tv degrees lead to job opportunities.鈥�
Our professors have real-world experience and the right professional relationships to ensure job opportunities after college. Case in point: 蘑菇tv is鈥疦o. 1 in teacher placements in Georgia.鈥��
蘑菇tv will challenge your student.鈥�
Did you know鈥⒐絫v has ties to Harvard and Yale? Forty-five percent of our incoming 2021 class were in the top 2 academic tiers, with an average GPA of 3.54 and ACT score of 22.9, which places them ahead of 64 percent of their peers academically.
Other Helpful Links
蘑菇tv University Parents & Families Facebook Group
We have avenues for parents and families to talk to each other as well as to the institution. One great resource is our parents and families Facebook group鈥攃reated just for you.
See your student’s achievements on Merit
You can go to鈥�, type in your student’s name, and see all of his or her achievements! If you don’t see your student at first, try typing in just the last name.
Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar is a great resource for dates related to registration, academic advisement, final exams, graduation, and holidays.
Northeast Georgia鈥�
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northeast Georgia, our Demorest campus is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.鈥疧ur Athens campus is in the Normaltown neighborhood near downtown鈥檚 trendy shops, late-night hangouts, and eateries to suit every taste.