Parents Leadership Council

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About

The Parents Leadership Council is a network of parents committed to supporting and enhancing the University, student life, and academic endeavors by raising funds for the Parents Fund, scholarships, athletics, and more. Members enjoy exclusive signature events throughout the year, including meeting with senior leadership and attending mission-driven events for parents and alumni. Gifts at the Parents Leadership Council level begin at $5,000 annually, with additional benefits offered at higher leadership gift levels.

Membership & Involvement

Meet the Parents Leadership Council Co-Chairs

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Meet the Parents Leadership Council Co-Chairs

Dear Fellow Fairfield University Parents and Guardians,

As the co-chairs of the Parents Leadership Council and parents of two Stags Frank IV (Q) ’25 and William ’27, we are honored to be members of the parent community at Fairfield University. The moment we stepped onto campus for a visit as a family, we knew we were in a special place. And now, Fairfield continues to surpass our expectations in so many ways.

We feel confident both in the choice our students made to attend Fairfield University, and in the innovative vision of President Mark R. Nemec, PhD and all campus leaders. From the beautiful campus, to the rigorous curriculum and abundant opportunities, to the vivacity and enthusiasm of the people we met, we knew it was the right fit for not only Q, but now for William, too.

As families, we choose Fairfield because we understand the value of higher education steeped in Jesuit traditions. There is so much to appreciate about Fairfield – so many opportunities for academic and spiritual growth to take place, for lifelong friendships to be made, and for life-changing experiences to be had. We thoroughly enjoy our time spent on campus attending events and visiting our sons, especially at the new Leo D. Mahoney Arena. The venue is a fantastic place to come together as a community, and to watch our competitive Stags. Please also consider connecting with the community by joining the Parent Ambassador program, attending events and games on and off campus, or making a philanthropic contribution to help support the experiences of students like yours and mine.

Thank you for being a part of the Fairfield family, and go Stags!

Frank and Melissa Nigro, P’27,’25
Co-Chairs, Parents Leadership Council

Join The Parents Leadership Council Today

Special Opportunities for Members

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Special Opportunities for Members

Members of the Parents Leadership Council (PLC) receive access to several benefits and automatically qualify for The President’s Circle membership. The President’s Circle giving society is a community comprised of Fairfield’s leaders in philanthropy, including alumni, students, and friends of the University, and local community members. Your member benefits from The President’s Circle with additional exclusive benefits through the PLC include:

  • Invitations to several exclusive events and activities
  • Annual update from the University President
  • Opportunity to meet senior leadership at Parents Leadership Council events
  • Strong network of dedicated Fairfield families
  • Annual token of appreciation
  • Frequent and personal communication from the Office of Parent Engagement and Philanthropy
  • Access to 30+ sessions a year and Open Visions Forums at the Quick Center for the Arts
  • Access to the printed and online member Directory
  • Four tickets to any Athletics event OR annual Glee Club concert*
  • Copy of book recommendations curated by University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD or other Fairfield U leadership
  • Discount to the bookstore to be used online or in-store

Please contact the Office of Parent Engagement and Philanthropy at parents@fairfield.edu with any questions about your member benefits or to reserve your tickets.

*Dependent on request time and availability. Must be requested two weeks prior to event and may not include specific tournaments.

Ways to Get Involved

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Ways to Get Involved

As Parents Leadership Council members you are our best Parent Ambassadors and can participate in helping our students and the entire community in the following ways:

  • Reach out to new Fairfield University families to welcome them and answer questions
  • Invite other parents to support the University with a gift of any size to the Parents Fund
  • Host and/or attend summer student and parent welcome receptions and other events with parents in your area
  • Make calls to thank parent donors for their support of the Parents Fund
  • Serve as ambassadors of the University in your community and in the Fairfield University community
  • Make connections for the Career Development Office and support them with internships and job shadow opportunities for students

Recent Events

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Recent Events

Parents Leadership Council Experience
February 4, 2024

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Parent Leadership Council Welcome Breakfast
October 21, 2023

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Parents Leadership Council Experience
February 5, 2023

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Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

Ellen Dooley '85 headshot

Ellen Dooley '85

Director

Parent Engagement & Philanthropy

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Jenna McClain MA'23 headshot

Jenna McClain MA'23

Associate Director

Parent Engagement & Philanthropy

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Lindsey Hanley '15, MPA'22 headshot

Lindsey Hanley '15, MPA'22

Assistant Director

Parent Engagement & Philanthropy

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