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Greetings from the Powells of Virginia!

Hello! I’m Gary C. Powell, and along with my wife, Kiris and our son, we proudly call Manassas, Virginia home. Our daughter is a proud Sun Devil, and this May, she’ll be graduating from Arizona State University. Time really flies — it feels like just yesterday we were in the same decision-making process that you and your child are navigating now.

No doubt, a lot of thoughts are running through your mind, including, “Wow, Arizona is practically all the way across the country!” Trust me, we had the same concerns. Choosing the right college is a major decision, and preparing to send your child off on this new journey can feel overwhelming. I’d love to share what helped us — hopefully, it will help you, too.

Our ASU journey

Our daughter applied and was accepted to ASU before we had even visited a campus. We were about 99% sure it was the right place for her — but we needed to see it in person to be completely certain. So, we took a trip to Tempe over Fourth of July weekend.

The campus tour blew us away. The facilities, resources and support services were beyond impressive. No matter what a student needs — academic support, career counseling, wellness services or top-tier fitness facilities — ASU has it covered.

Now, let me be real with you — Tempe in July is hot! I remember wondering if my daughter could handle the intense Phoenix heat. But ASU’s offerings were just too incredible to pass up. That last 1% of uncertainty disappeared before we even flew home.

What truly stood out was the people. The faculty and staff were incredibly welcoming and made ASU feel like home. Even though ASU is a large university, it never felt overwhelming. Our daughter quickly found her place by joining clubs, making friends and fully engaging in campus life. Meanwhile, I got involved as an ASU Family Ambassador, which has been a rewarding experience.

Advice for your family

If ASU is on your child’s list, here are a few key insights from our experience:

• Visit if you haven’t yet. Take a campus tour, check out the residence halls, explore the library and walk through the academic buildings. Also, take time to experience the metro Phoenix region — it’s a vibrant city with a lot to offer.
• Consider early transition programs. Programs like the Sankofa Leadership Institute allow incoming students to move in before traditional move-in dates, giving them early access to housing, dining and campus life. It’s a fantastic way to ease the transition.
• Pack light. Focus on bringing clothes and personal essentials. You can buy bedding, towels, dorm decor and even a new laptop in Arizona — many local stores offer great discounts for incoming first-year students.
• No car? No problem. First-year students don’t need a car — ASU has excellent public transportation and ride-sharing makes getting around easy.
• Stay connected. Set up a weekly Zoom or FaceTime call — it’s a great way to check in without hovering.
• Trust the process. Your child will figure it out. Whether it’s managing schedules, laundry or budgeting, they’ll learn and grow. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “adulting” as “the action or process of becoming, being, or behaving as an adult.” College is a major step in that process, and yes — there will be a few “duh” moments. But before you know it, your child will amaze you with how well you raised them.
• Family Weekend is in-freaking-credible! You must attend. Tip: If you have enough PTO, turn Family Weekend into Family Week. There are so many amazing places to explore in Arizona. We took the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon, and it was unforgettable.

Advice for your child

• Get involved in an organization — it's a great way to boost your skills and resume, as well as make friends.
• Use the resources that Career Services offers, whether that is resume help, Dress for Success (lending business professional clothing for interviews), or getting a better idea of what your career path will look like.
• Regularly attend career fairs (especially if you use Career Services resources). This way you can get your networking skills in and start looking at possible companies you want to intern or work for.
• Regularly meet with your academic advisor. Study your major map and understand the required classes so you’re not setting yourself back (reach out to your advisor to make plans that you know will benefit you and that you’ve researched on).
• Remember the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Peer pressure isn’t like the movies — it mostly stems from ourselves, our desire to imitate or mirror characteristics of others we might think are “cool.” Be cognizant of who you identify as your friends, as they can influence you much more when your parents aren’t around to question who you hang out with.
• Do not waste your Maroon & Gold Dollars (if your chosen meal plan includes them) splurging on the campus markets. The amount you start out with may seem like a lot, but it is easy to run those dollars down to zero when you don’t budget them properly. Treat it as if it were your debit card, and you had a full semester to live on that set amount.

Final thoughts

Choosing a college is a deeply personal decision, but if ASU is the right fit for your child, you can feel confident that they will be in a fantastic place to learn, grow and thrive. Wishing you and your student all the best in this exciting new chapter!

Also, check out the ASU Family Hub — the official communication platform for Sun Devil parents and family members.

 Join the ASU Family Hub

Want to connect directly with a current parent or family member? Use the Direct Connect form to request to speak with an ASU Family Guide who will be happy to answer any questions you have. 

Go Sun Devils!

Best,
Dr. Gary C. Powell
Parent to an ASU student and ASU Family Ambassador