The Office of Parent and Family Relations

The Office of Parent and Family Relations

Commencement 3 p.m.-L-117
Commencement 3 p.m.-L-129
Commencement 3 p.m.-L-129
Family From Chime Out 2025 (brightened)

Welcome Parents & Family Members!

We want you to know your child is well cared for during their time at HPU. Through the Office of Parent and Family Relations, we seek to cultivate and nurture relationships with parents and families of new and current students; plan programming to engage parents in the university community; facilitate communication between the university, students and parents.

Meet PJ Gramling, Director of Parent and Family Relations

PJ Gramling ’81 is an HPU alumna, along with her husband, Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, and their two children, Hannah ’12 and John ’15. She has worked at HPU for the past 18 years and has been involved with HPU for more than four decades. PJ is a first-generation college student and has helped many people through the college admission process. Her experience as an HPU alumna, parent, staff member and mentor give her a unique perspective to provide guidance to parents who have entrusted their children to HPU. She finds joy in serving others and her favorite time of the week is during chapel on Wednesdays when she is able to worship alongside the HPU family.

Contact PJ

Parent & Family Resources

Events
Fall 2026 
June 8-July 3Summer I Session
July 3-6Independence Day Holiday (Offices Closed)
July 6-31Summer II Session
Aug 14New Student Move In
Aug 14Chime In For New Students
Aug 14–16Jacket Journey
Aug 15Returning Student Move In
Aug 17All Classes Begin
Aug 26Last Day To Register or Change Classes
Sep 1Deadline for December 2026 Graduation Application
Sep 7Labor Day (No Day Classes; Offices Closed)
Oct 2-3Homecoming – Family Weekend
Oct 15–16Fall Break for Students (Residence Halls Remain Open)
October 16Fall Breakd for Faculty/Staff (Offices Closed)
Oct 19–Nov 4Preregistration Advising for January and Spring 2026
Nov 20Residence Hall Close
Nov 23–27Thanksgiving Holidays (Classes Will Not Meet)
Nov 29Residence Halls Open
Dec 7–10Final Exams
Dec 11Residence Hall Close
Dec 21–Jan 1Christmas Holidays (Offices Closed)
Spring 2027 
Jan 4Administrative Offices Open
Jan 17Students Move In
Jan 18Martin Luther King Day (No Classes)
Jan 18Spring Jacket Journey
Jan 19All Classes Begin
Jan 28Last Day to Register or Change Classes
Jan 29Deadline for May 2027 Graduation Application
March 5Residence Halls Close
March 8-12Spring Break
March 14Residence Halls Open
March 15Classes Resume
March 22-April 9Preregistration Advising for May, Summer and Fall 2027
March 25-26Easter Holiday for Students (Residence Halls Remain Open)
April 16Spring Sing
April 17Spring Family Reunion
March 14Chime Out
March 15Commencement 
Chapel

Chapel Information – Chapel is an important part of the student experience at Howard Payne University. Visit the webpage for more information and to view the chapel schedule.

The Center for Student Success

The Center for Student Success – The Center for Student Success features a variety of services to equip students for success during their university experiences and into the future, through learning activities both in and outside the classroom.

Career Services

Career Services – Your career success starts now, and we are here to help! All HPU students have access to a dedicated career success professional as well as a variety of resources that will aid in creating an enhanced student experience and prepare you for future career success.

Student Resources

Student Resources – This page features information about Counseling Services, Dining Services, Jacket Food & Essentials, Health Services, Stinger Bucks Locations, Stinger Shuttle, and the Wellness Center.

Supporting Your Student
  1. Stay Connected. Communicate regularly with your student. Text, call, FaceTime, or send a care package. Small gestures go a long way when it comes to maintaining a strong support system. Family Weekend is a great time to visit your student and the HPU campus!
  2. Ask Questions. Learning to navigate this challenging time can be difficult, rewarding, scary, and fun for you, and for your student. Give your student the opportunity to share feelings and ideas with you. He or she is experiencing new viewpoints and perspectives that may challenge prior belief systems. Allow your student to explore ideas without being judgmental. Understand that changes in viewpoints, behavior, dress, eating and sleeping habits, and relationships with parents are all to be expected during the college years. However, if you suspect that some of these changes may be signs of bigger problems, refer your student to the appropriate office on campus. Trust your instincts.
  3. Encourage Community & Campus Engagement.HPU has over 30 student organizations, various athletic programs, intramural sports, and other great ways to help your student connect, make new friends, and feel at home. The city of Brownwood is a thriving community filled with opportunities for part-time and full-time jobs, volunteering, events, organizations, and experiences to enhance your students stay.
  4. Help Identify Personal & Professional Skills.Oftentimes college students do not think of the skills that would benefit them in the future. It’s not unusual for them to be overwhelmed with the adjustment to college life – getting to class, completing their assignments on time, managing time wisely, and so many new responsibilities. Sometimes all they can think about is getting to graduation. Assist your student by helping them determine what day-to-day skills they are or could be acquiring that will transfer to their future career. Encourage them to embrace every learning experience that is a building block toward their goals.
  5. Be Patient.Perhaps your student hasn’t quite figured out their calling which means they haven’t declared a major or aren’t sure about the one they have selected. A major rarely dictates a specific job, so be patient and help assist your student in finding what major fits their skillset the best.
  6. Stress the Importance of Work Experience.Whether it be an on-campus job, summer internship, or volunteering, work experience of any kind is beneficial to your student! The HPU Center for Career & Student Success has numerous resources to assist your student in researching, preparing for, and gaining valuable experience that will enhance their resume upon graduation.
  7. Be Knowledgeable About Campus Resources.HPU has counseling services, academic advising services, student worker positions, financial aid, tutoring, disability services, and much more to aid in your students’ success. The Center for Career & Student Success posts job openings, internship opportunities, hosts resume writing workshops, hosts mock interviews, and offers 1-on-1 appointments as well. If you aren’t sure – ask! We are always willing to help direct you and your student in the right direction.
  8. Trust Your Student. It’s their experience! Your student will always value your input so help equip them to make informed decisions for themselves. Remember, you are now in a supporting role. Our goal is to have students become confident, independent people. We may have to allow them to struggle and maybe even fail on occasion. Even when an opportunity or adventure they choose may be scary to you, allow them to make the decision and support their new ideas and passions! They will learn to take responsibility for their decisions and they will grow into an amazing young adult with your continued support.”

Jacket Journals – A Parent's View

The scariest thing I ever did was take my kids to college and drive away. My advice for parents of incoming freshmen to Howard Payne University is walk away from that dorm move-in knowing your kiddo is in the BEST hands. I have four kids (three college graduates, one trade school graduate). The baby was (is) a Yellowjacket. Trust me when I tell you NOBODY loves their students the way HPU loves their students. They are not a nameless face walking around that campus. They are somebody and everybody knows their name. If your student is not involved in something in their downtime, it is because they do not want to be, and even if they don't want to be, somebody is going to do their very best to convince them to go to the never-ending stream of events HPU has to make sure nobody is lonely or hungry. Four years later I am still amazed at the creative lengths the university's administration has and does go to love on, fellowship with, and ensure the success of every single scared kid (and parent) that walks into Jacket Journey.

Stephanie Taylor, parent of Blaine Onick ’26

Thinking back to our daughter's first semester and the transition into the world of being parents of a college student, I would encourage incoming families to take advantage of sending your “new adult” to a small school like Howard Payne. Get to know the faculty and staff who will be in their lives – they are going to be your allies and be able to deliver an encouraging word, hug, or even cold medicine when you can’t physically be there for your kid. We also strongly believe that it’s important for new students to get out of their room and get involved. Find people! Go to the events, Bible studies, game nights, hang out at the volleyball courts, etc. It’s important to make friends face-to-face and use these times to build the relationships that will last the rest of your life. The good stuff is in the random made-up scavenger hunts at Walmart in the middle of the night, singing around a campfire at the lake, or cheering on your friends at their game. And it’s okay to let your kid struggle through a little and for things to be hard; trust that you have given them the tools to find their way and if they will embrace it, HPU will help them keep adding tools they will use the rest of their lives.

Randi King, parent of Maddie King ’26

While I observed the focus on relationships between administration, faculty, and students during the preview and SWARM, I was not aware of the extent to which administration and faculty would work to continue to build upon those relationships once our son began attending Howard Payne University. For example, I remember being surprised when we dropped our son off for the start of his sophomore year and President Hines greeted him by name. Almost every visit during his four years, we encountered someone from the administration or faculty who did the same. Likewise, we watched our son grow in his faith and his relationship with Jesus during his time at Howard Payne University.

Jim Archer, parent of Daniel Archer ’25 & ’26

Howard Payne University has been extremely supportive to me as a parent! Every department from administration to sports responded and were extremely helpful.  The Parent Relations representative PJ Gramling was extremely critical in directing me to the appropriate department of respond to my questions!

Linda Werlein, parent of student Kendra Werlein

Having our son apply and now attend Howard Payne was a pain free process! The Admission Counselors were incredible and if they didn’t have an answer, they got one quickly. As we got further into the process, the Financial Aide Office helped with scholarship ideas and eased any anxiety we had. We have felt listened to, cared about and encouraged all along the way by everyone we have encountered! We are so grateful for HPU!

Brandi Parrish, parent of student Josh Parrish

We’re so thankful he’s at a sweet Christian college which is like home to my family and has so many encouraging people and unique opportunities. My main advice would be to encourage your student to prioritize involvement in these 3 areas: church, in campus activities, and in quality friendships. These are all critical steps and require intentionality. And finally, let your student know you’re praying for them, and ask for specific ways you can pray. 

Jana Penney, A Parent's View

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