A few years ago, a parent approached Executive Director of Parent Services Rodney Johnson and told him, “Your office has your personality.”
Much like Mr. Johnson, the Office of Parent Services is committed to listening, communicating and establishing connections with parents to make them feel at home at the university.
The office has also been working nonstop the last few weeks in preparation for Colonials Weekend, which starts this Friday. Mr. Johnson has rallied his staff, and they’ve pored over the schedule to make sure every minuscule detail has been considered. One of the biggest events on campus, Colonials Weekend invites students, parents and the rest of the community to celebrate GW through a variety of activities.
With nearly 30 years at the university, Mr. Johnson knows how to run a successful Colonials Weekend. But it’s more than his time at GW that has informed his leadership skills—it’s the lessons he’s picked up throughout his life.
Mr. Johnson was a star basketball player growing up in North Carolina just as the South was going through racial integration. In 1968, his talent won him a scholarship to Mars Hill University (formerly Mars Hill College) in Mars Hill, N.C., which marked the first time an African American student had received a full-ride to the school.
“It was the very beginning of integration, yet this community embraced me and made me feel that I was a part of it,” he said of Mars Hill. “It taught me to love, accept and value everything in individuals. That’s what I’ve taken and brought to my current role.”
Mr. Johnson left a significant legacy at Mars Hill. In addition to being its first African American student to receive a full scholarship, he also made the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame after totaling 1,069 points in basketball. His dedication and love for the school is so palpable that Mr. Johnson was recently invited back for a homecoming ceremony, where he received the 2013 Alumni of the Year award.
After graduating Mars Hill in 1972 with a degree in physical education, Mr. Johnson coached basketball at Hoke County High School and later Asheville High School. In 1982, he became the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s assistant men’s basketball coach, and also the first director of the office of minority affairs, an office he created. After two years, he became Boston University’s assistant men’s basketball coach.
In 1985, Mr. Johnson joined the GW community as assistant men’s basketball coach. After five years, he became special assistant to former Senior Provost and Vice President of Student and Academic Support Services Robert A. Chernak. It was in discussions with Mr. Chernak and former President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg that the idea of an office for parents first arose.
“Bob told me, ‘I want every parent of every undergraduate to know that there’s at least one person at this university who will listen to them, who will give them advice and who will represent them,’” Mr. Johnson said.
Under these guiding principles, Mr. Johnson developed an office for freshmen parent services. He diligently studied models from other schools and took notes on what worked before broadening the office to include all parents.
Mr. Johnson, who was promoted from director to executive director four years ago, said he strives to provide exceptional service. He believes that the strengths of the Office of Parent Services include listening and informing, and he says his office concentrates strictly on the needs of parents. His coach’s spirit still lingers, and can be seen in the way he guides parents through the intricacies of college life.
“It’s important for us to be there for parents, make them feel part of the community, inform them and let them know how they can help their sons and daughters take care of themselves,” he said.
He added that the dedication of parents plays a crucial role at the university. Parent giving has increased, and parent involvement can be seen through volunteer efforts and participation in the Parents’ Association Advisory Council, which meets three times a year.
The Office of Parent Services has put a lot of thought into the upcoming Colonials Weekend. Activities will include sessions on what parents need to know about the Gelman Library, a silent auction and a “Dancing with Parents/Students” event presented by GW Ballroom. Fifteen lectures as part of the “GW’s Best” series will add academic components to the weekend. The GW community can also enjoy a concert featuring the Fray; performances from athletes and student organizations, contests and giveaways at Colonials Invasion; and Octoberfest on the Mount Vernon Campus quad. The weekend will be busy—and it’s far from over.
“Colonials Weekend this year will be an unbelievable experience, but as soon as it’s done, we’ll immediately start planning next year’s,” Mr. Johnson said.