Supporting your student. Staying connected. Being part of the Sweet Briar story.
At Sweet Briar College, parents and family members are important parts of our community. Your students bring talent, curiosity, and purpose to campus every day—and your encouragement plays a meaningful role in their growth!
Parents and families members are always welcome on campus, and are invited to special events throughout the year. Please use the resources on this portal to learn more, answer questions, and stay connected. You can also join the Sweet Briar College Families Facebook group to connect with other families and ask questions as they come up.
We’re here to help you navigate all the resources that Sweet Briar offers. We hope to see and hear from you soon!
As the parents and families liaison, my goal is to help you feel connected, informed, and supported throughout your student’s time at Sweet Briar. Whether you are navigating your first semester or preparing for graduation, I’m here to answer questions, point you toward helpful resources, and share updates from across campus.
Once a month, I host an online session designed to keep you connected to campus life. Each gathering includes guest speakers, faculty, staff, coaches, and student leaders, who offer updates, talk about their work, and answer questions. These sessions are relaxed, informative, and a wonderful way to stay engaged, no matter where home is. I hope you will join us often!
We are delighted to partner with you, and look forward to getting to know each of you.
Edwina G. Bell
Parents & Families Liaison, Senior Director of Major Gifts
ebell@sbc.edu
434-381-6320
The Sweet Briar College Parents and Families Council includes all parents and families of current students from each class year. Its mission is to facilitate a strong and engaged relationship between Sweet Briar College, the students, and their parents and families.
The Sweet Briar Parents and Families Council will:
Sweet Briar recognizes that families have distinct questions and interests from that of their student. The Council is designed to serve as a sounding board, helping families maximize the benefits of the overall Sweet Briar experience.
If you’d like to volunteer and get involved, please reach out to Parents & Families Liaison Edwina Bell at ebell@sbc.edu or 434-381-6320.
Visit the academic calendar for term dates and the College calendar for upcoming events taking place on campus.
January 12
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Make your application stand out from the rest. Attend this workshop to learn how to browse Volunteer openings, find the right program, and strengthen your application. You will be guided step by step through the online application. Learn ways to improve your chances and ask questions about service.
Register HERE! For more information, email Career Services at careerservices@sbc.edu.
Come one! Come all! Auditions for the spring play, UBU MORT-VIVANT, will be held in Babcock on Monday Jan 12 and Tuesday Jan 13 at 7pm!
No prep necessary. No prior experience required.
Ubu Mort-Vivant (“Ubu the Living Dead”) is a recently discovered contested addition to the Ubu canon of plays composed by the French proto-absurdist playwright Alfred Jarry (1873-1907). Written in 1937, thirty years after its author’s death, Ubu Mort-Vivant finds deposed autocrat Pa Ubu using highly unconventional (i.e. supernatural) means to return to power after a complete defeat at the hands of his enemies. Presciently forecasting the global return of strongman rule in the twenty-first century, Ubu Mort-Vivant is an avant-garde riot of obscenity, zombies, and deadly serious ridiculousness.
January 13
11:00am - 1:00pm
Prothro Atrium
Stop by the Career Services Center table in the Prothro Atrium, where we will be sharing resources this month about how to create résumés and cover letters. We’ll also be available to answer any other career services questions you may have. Contact CareerServices@sbc.edu with any questions!
STAMMTISCH:an Arts-Wide lunch meeting forallarts division majors and minors*(English and Creative Writing, Studio Art, Art History, Theatre, Dance, Music, Arts Management)
*all arts interested students welcome!
January 13
2:00pm - 2:45pm
Most people wait for a title before they start leading. But Rachel Wells knows from experience that the fastest-growing professionals do the opposite. In this webinar, Forbes contributor, senior manager, and leadership coach Rachel Wells reveals how to identify, develop, and demonstrate leadership skills that make you stand out for promotion, even if you’re not in management yet.
You’ll learn:
Register HERE! For more information, email Career Services at careerservices@sbc.edu.
January 13
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Are you curious about how AI can simplify and improve your job search? Join Indeed Career Strategist Clint Carrens and job search specialists Mary Baird and Heather Joy for a panel discussion about how you can use AI strategically to optimize your resume, cover letter, and profiles. Together, they will break down how to effectively use these tools to enhance your application materials, streamline the process, and highlight your skills.
Learn more about the event and register HERE! For more information, email Career Services at careerservices@sbc.edu.
Come one! Come all! Auditions for the spring play, UBU MORT-VIVANT, will be held in Babcock on Monday Jan 12 and Tuesday Jan 13 at 7pm!
No prep necessary. No prior experience required.
Ubu Mort-Vivant (“Ubu the Living Dead”) is a recently discovered contested addition to the Ubu canon of plays composed by the French proto-absurdist playwright Alfred Jarry (1873-1907). Written in 1937, thirty years after its author’s death, Ubu Mort-Vivant finds deposed autocrat Pa Ubu using highly unconventional (i.e. supernatural) means to return to power after a complete defeat at the hands of his enemies. Presciently forecasting the global return of strongman rule in the twenty-first century, Ubu Mort-Vivant is an avant-garde riot of obscenity, zombies, and deadly serious ridiculousness.
January 14
11:00am - 11:45am
Is it daunting just thinking about where to start your job search or how to maintain your energy throughout? Do you remember previous job searches that went on and on, with little progress? Do you find yourself getting stuck in a negative mindset, and just not knowing how to move forward?
This webinar will help you wade through the mental challenges of searching for a job. We will provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step ideas for adopting (and maintaining) a healthy mindset toward your job search.
Register HERE! For more information, email Career Services at careerservices@sbc.edu.
January 14
11:00am - 3:00pm
Connecting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with forward-thinking employers and graduate programs. Take bold steps toward your next opportunity - whether you’re launching your career, pursuing advanced study, or leveling up in your field. Learn more and register HERE! For more information, email Career Services at careerservices@sbc.edu.
January 14
11:45am - 12:45pm
Josey Dining Room
SGA’s Weekly Senate meeting
We love welcoming families to Sweet Briar throughout the year! You are invited to experience the traditions, celebrations, and special programs that shape your student’s journey, such as:
Your involvement makes a real and lasting difference in the Sweet Briar experience. Thank you for partnering with us, cheering from near or far, and believing in what your students—and this college—can achieve. Learn more about our traditions >
You and your student are part of the Sweet Briar family today and always. Contact Parents & Families Liaison Edwina Bell at ebell@sbc.edu or 434-381-6320 with questions.
Parent & Families Newsletter
This Week at Sweet Briar
Meeting Recordings
Can I send my student mail and special deliveries?
Yes! Each student is assigned a P.O. Box with the USPS Post Office located on campus. They can receive regular packages and mail through their box. Students (and parents and families) can also have food deliveries through other services such as Door Dash, GrubHub, UberEats, or local establishments to the designated table in the Post Office. Delivery drivers should be directed to the Post Office to make these drop offs. Want to send your student something special for a birthday? A number of online retailers provide national shipping, including Milk Bar and Harry & David. Select local bakeries may also deliver to campus.
Where can I find the academic calendar? When are final exams?
The current academic calendar can be found in the Academics section of the website. The next academic year is added to this page each spring before it begins. Term, final exams, Commencement, and other important dates can be found there. A PDF copy is available for easy saving and printing.
How do I find out about Athletics schedules?
Please visit vixenathletics.com for Athletics schedules and more information about each team.
What are Sweet Briar’s traditions?
Sweet Briar has many traditions! Beginning as soon as students arrive on campus as a first year through Commencement, there countless special moments to experience and memories to be made. Visit the Traditions page to learn more.
What is the Holla, Holla?
The Holla, Holla is a song the community sings in celebration of a person or group that has done something noteworthy. The Holla, Holla can be given to any community member, and traditionally takes place at several events, including Senior Games and Step Singing. The lyrics are:
Here’s to [insert name], Holla, Holla, Holla, nothing you cannot do.
Here’s to [insert name], Holla, Holla, Holla, nothing you cannot do.
Work for the good and work for the right, always doing something and doing it right.
So here’s to [insert name] Holla, Holla, Holla, nothing you cannot do.
More questions? Contact Parents and Families Liaison Edwina Bell at ebell@sbc.edu or 434-381-6320.
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Davis Shiflett ’26 is honored during volleyball’s senior night.
Parents and relatives gather on campus for Families Weekend.
Shimi Afsara ’25 celebrates Commencement with loved ones.
Students and families enjoy Families Weekend.
Families help students move into the dorms.
Ashley Maggiora ’25 and family celebrate at Commencement.
