This app was made by researchers at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and Lehigh University as a joint project to help parents find campus-specific information and guide parents through the transition into the first-year of college.

ParentingFirst was created by Joseph LaBrie, PhD (professor of Psychological Science at LMU) and Lucy Napper, PhD (professor of Psychology at Lehigh University), both of whom have studied the health behaviors of college students for over a decade. Their research has consistently found that the roles of parents remain critical while college students become more independent adults, and having important conversations with your student during this time can positively influence your student's academic, health, and social outcomes.

This app is funded by research grants from the NIH, and parents of LMU and Lehigh students have early access to the program!

ParentingFirst has a series of quizzes related to your attitudes and beliefs about alcohol use, marijuana use, mental health, campus safety, and social relationships in college. Your answers to these quizzes will guide you to a series of articles curated by the experts behind ParentingFirst so that you can learn more about the campus climate and what to expect during your student's first year on campus.

Additionally, the app has campus-specific resources made easily available. Links to safety, health, residential, and student-life services can all be found in one place, and you can explore these at your own pace prior to your student's arrival on campus. All resources on the app will remain available throughout the first semester, and you can come back to the app at anytime!

Follow the links provided to download the app on the App Store (Apple users) or Google Play Store (Android users)!

When you sign up, you will be prompted to provide information about yourself and your student. Please read all questions carefully so that we can ensure you are directed to the right resources within the app. We also ask that you provide some of your student's contact info so that we can confirm your student is enrolled at the university you select.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us at parentingfirst@lmu.edu!