Parent and Family Orientation Welcome Families of The Citadel's Class of 2030!

Welcome to The Citadel Family!

My name is Commander Kevin Adcock, and I work in The Citadel's Office of Parent and Family Programs. I graduated from The Citadel in 1990 and served 11 years as a U.S. Naval Aviator. Afterward, I spent four years in the airline industry and three years in public middle school education. Most recently, I served as a TAC (Teach - Advise - Coach) Officer at The Citadel for 15 years.

So What Does The Data Say?

Studies indicate that:

College students whose parents and families are appropriately involved tend to achieve greater success. The key is "appropriately involved."
Despite the college administration's efforts to provide information, cadets will often still turn to you for advice.
The most effective parents and families maintain a supportive relationship with their cadets while allowing them to make their own decisions. Instead of directing them, foster a relationship where they feel comfortable seeking your guidance when needed – note, when they come to you.

Our Goals

Our office was established with three primary goals:

Inform parents and families so you can offer effective guidance when your cadets seek your advice.
Provide suggested topics for you to discuss with your cadets throughout the academic year.
Serve as a point of contact to connect you with the appropriate resources on campus or offer advice when requested.
Help parents and families have a positive experience during their cadet's time at The Citadel.

This Parent Orientation is designed to familiarize you with the college's services for students and, more importantly, to suggest important conversations you and your cadet should have before Matriculation Day and throughout the year. While the presentation may not be perfect, it contains valuable information. If there are specific topics you'd like to learn more about, please let me know at parents@citadel.edu, and we will do our best to address your needs.

Decision Maker to Advisor

College is a significant period of growth where your cadet will encounter new experiences and learn to make independent decisions. We recognize that each cadet and their family relationships are unique. Our hope is that your cadet will mature and come to value seeking your advice as part of their decision-making process – a process where they ultimately take ownership of their choices and their outcomes. There will be times when they face setbacks, as the system is intentionally challenging. However, it is in their response to these challenges where the most significant personal growth occurs. Learning to recover, take responsibility, and learn from mistakes is what makes The Citadel experience so impactful.

There are critical issues I want to bring to your attention for you to discuss with your prospective cadet before they arrive at The Citadel. Some of these are particularly important because violating these policies will result in their inability to remain at the college. The two primary areas are violations of our Honor Code and our Drug and Alcohol Policies.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at parents@citadel.edu (preferred) or 843-953-6088. Email is the best way to reach me for a quicker response.

Welcome and Go 'Dogs!

Kevin Adcock '90

Let's Get Started!

Click the "Let's Get Started!" button above to learn how to navigate this orientation.