Parent & Family Resources
Program Information
Welcome from the Dean of Students
Dear Naropa Parent, Caregiver, and/or Family Member,
We’re so excited that your student or you yourself are considering Naropa University as the next step in an educational journey or that you have chosen Naropa as your educational home. You have been a vital part of the story that has led them to this point, and we know that this decision is a significant one not just for them, but for you and your family. We want to welcome you into our community and assure you that we are here to support you and your student every step of the way.
Supporting Your Student’s Journey
Naropa is a young institution (we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2024!) with a rich history, nestled amongst the majestic Flatirons in Boulder, CO. We believe in the power of education to transform both the individual and the world. Your student’s education here will be about far more than just what they learn in the classroom; it’s about helping them to become the compassionate and skillful leaders our world needs.
We know that a strong support system is key to student success. That’s why our Division of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success (DESS) offers a wide range of programs and services, including Admissions, Housing, Advising, Well-Being & Resilience and Campus Life. These teams are dedicated to helping your student feel a sense of belonging and fostering their connection to Naropa and the greater Boulder community.
Naropa has many student resources available to your student (or you if you are student) including TimelyCare, our telehealth provider that provides up to 9 no-cost counseling sessions each academic year. Bodhi, Naropa’s AI chatbot helper, conducts text-message check-ins with every student several times a month around academics, wellness, and social connection, and also “lives” on Naropa.edu to answer common questions you may have.
One resource students will learn about once at Naropa is our CARE team. CARE stands for Consultation, Assessment, Referral, and Education and is a dedicated support and case management group comprised of liaisons from campus offices that assists students with academic, personal, and behavioral challenges, ensuring they don’t have to face difficulties alone.
You can learn more about our other student support offerings here.
Resources for Student-Parents
We also want to specifically acknowledge the unique needs of our student-parents. We understand that balancing academic life with the responsibilities of parenting is a remarkable challenge. Please know that we value the experience and perspective you bring to our community. Our teams are available to discuss resources and support systems that can help you succeed in your educational goals while also caring for your family. We are committed to making sure you have the resources you need to thrive as both a student and a parent. Naropa’s campuses offer lactation spaces and our Civil Rights and Title IX team can assist in exploring pregnancy and nursing related support needs.
As you and your family continue to explore what this next step might look like or prepare to join us in an upcoming semester, we hope you will consider the transformative power of a Naropa education. If you have any questions or need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Dr. Jeremy Moore
Dean of Students
About Boulder, CO
Boulder, Colorado, is consistently recognized as a wonderful place to live, go to school, and start a business. The recently released U.S. News & World Report survey of the best places to live in America in 2021–2022 awarded the number-one spot to Boulder for the second consecutive year. An excerpt from the U.S. News & World Report article:
Snug against the foothills where the Great Plains give rise to the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is nothing if not a looker. This city reveals its spectacle at the crest of a hill on U.S. Route 36 from Denver with its iconic sandstone slabs rising from the mountains, prefaced by pine-clad mesas and cradled within the backdrop of the snow-capped Indian Peaks.
Quick Links
Tips for Parents & Families
A child leaving home is clearly one of life’s biggest changes and maybe one of the toughest transitions you’ll face as a parent. While your child’s safety and well-being is crucial, it’s also important to take care of yourself during this transition. Here are a few tips and resources you may find useful and helpful.
- First, realize it’s normal to experience a range of emotions when a child leaves the home. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up. Fighting them will only make them feel more unmanageable. If your feelings are becoming unmanageable, consider seeing a counselor or therapist. Asking for help is a sign of strength and resourcefulness.
- Being a parent is just one aspect of your life. Stop and identify the other roles you play. Part of honoring yourself is seeing the entirety of who you are.
- Consider what family means to you. Who is supportive of you? Spend time with people who know you well and who will honor the journey this transition represents for you.
- Talk with your family about what this change means to you. How is your relationship with your spouse or partner different now? How is it the same?
- Seek support from family and friends. Ask others how they’ve dealt with similar transitions.
- Doing a ritual to mark this life transition can be deeply rewarding. A ritual can be as simple as burning sage to start anew, or as complex as holding a ceremony with others. Make it yours.
- Consider creating a sacred space in your home. You might use it for journaling, meditating, praying, or making art. This space might be a corner, a table, or an entire room. Make it work for you.
- Have a conversation with your family about how you’ll use the space that was your child’s bedroom. There is no right way to do this, but involving the whole family in the dialogue is important.
- Times of transition can allow us to make other changes in our lives. What changes have you been waiting to make? Perhaps now is the time to implement some of your ideas.
Campus & Community Events
Naropa offers a variety of events and activities designed to create a sense of belonging for all enrolled students. It is our hope that by participating in these events, your student will feel a part of the Naropa community. The experience between choosing to attend Naropa and graduating from Naropa can include opportunities for learning and engagement and it can also create lasting friendships and connections.
Graduate New Student Orientation
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
All New Student Orientation activities for the Graduate Fall 2025 semester will take place on Naropa’s Nalanda Campus located at 6287 Arapahoe Ave.
Undergraduate New Student Orientation
Thursday, August 21 & Friday, August 22, 2025
Every semester Naropa suspends classes for Community Practice Day. During Community Practice Day, Naropa students, faculty, and staff attend lectures, participate in new forms of contemplative practice, and perform service in the community. This fall’s Practice Day is on October 14, 2025.
Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2025
Naropa University Arapahoe & Nalanda Campuses in Boulder, Colorado
President Dr. Paul Burkhardt and the entire Naropa University community cordially invite you to the Alumnx Reunion Weekend! All alumnx, all programs, and all graduation years welcome. Please join us for a weekend of events offering connection, contemplation, and celebration in community. Learn more.
President Paul Burkhardt and the Naropa University faculty cordially invite graduating students, their families, and their friends to Naropa University Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Learn more.
Creating a Culture of Care at Naropa
Meet Director of Campus & Residence Life Stephan Taylor (left) and Dean of Students Jeremy Moore, EdD, and learn about their holistic and integrated approach to student support.
