Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Parents and Families
  3. Parents of Incoming Students

Key Takeaways

The mission of the Division of Student Affairs at Penn State Altoona is to provide students with the services and developmental opportunities that will challenge and support their academic experiences, enhance the quality of their lives, and prepare them to function successfully as servant leaders within a diverse, multicultural, and international world. This is a much easier mission to meet if students opt-in to participate! Our services are for all students, regardless of where they live, and at any time throughout the year.

We hope you found this information to be informative, thought-provoking, and reassuring. Below, you'll find the most significant takeaways of our presentation, but if you find yourself with questions, please feel reach out to us.

  • Your student is about to embark on a journey that involves an incredible amount of change and choices. They are practicing becoming an adult and that means not every decision will be perfect. Help them see the learning moments whenever stumbles happen.
  • Your student is not supposed to know how to do college perfectly! Send them to the professionals (faculty, administration, staff) on campus who are here to help them. Most campus offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Googling questions with "Penn State Altoona" included will be a helpful first step.
  • Your student will be navigating new peer relationships. If your student wants to make a big decision based on advice from peers, send them to the professionals. If your student is struggling with a conflict with their peers, encourage them to try to address it first themselves. Then, if that isn't working, we will be happy to help them with further strategies.
  • Your role as your student is in college should change from your role in high school. Work to encourage responsibility, enforce accountability, and remember that the learning experience of figuring out how to move forward from mistakes is vital to be a productive and healthy adult.
  • First-year college students are still high school students. There will be a learning curve. Junior year is when we really see the changes culminate, including healthy friendships.
  • Your student's experience will be exponentially better if they get involved. Our main goal is not to get your student a job; our main goal is to provide your student with a holistic and comprehensive education that enables them to live healthy lives and be positive contributors to society.
  • Your student needs to participate in Welcome Week before classes begin. Research shows that students who participate in Welcome Week programs report higher levels of satisfaction with their college experience, feel more connected to the campus community, and are more likely to do well in their first year. Conversely, we know that students who don't participate in Welcome Week report regret over missing the opportunity.
  • College is not easy, but your student can do this! We care about them as individuals and about their success. We look forward to supporting them alongside you for the next two to four years.

Parents of Incoming Students

  • A Message from the Director of Student Affairs
  • Division of Student Affairs Functional Areas
  • Talking Topics
  • Homework Before Classes
  • Student Parking Information
  • Penn State Alert System and AMTRAN Rider Alert
  • On-campus Employment
  • Key Takeaways
  • On- and Off-campus Contacts

Resources for Parents

Helpful Phone Numbers
Quick Tips
Headlines: Penn State Email Newsletters
Family Weekend
Commencement
Student Newsletter

Quick Links

Penn State Altoona At a Glance
Mission, Vision, and Values
Our History
College Leadership
Administrative Offices and Academic Divisions
Strategic Plan
Visit Us
Campus Map
Virtual Tour
Campus Buildings and Grounds
Downtown Campus
Directions and GPS Coordinates
Transportation and Lodging
Community Activities and Attractions
Local Weather Conditions
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State