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Nearly two decades ago, the Â鶹´«Ã½ Family Leadership Council (FLC) was formed to garner support for Pomona students and to bolster engagement between Pomona families and the College. Today, FLC members are integral ambassadors to the Sagehen family community, providing philanthropic leadership to enhance and strengthen the Pomona educational experience.

The FLC engages with families as a resource and touchpoint, helping to share College initiatives, key information and personal experiences with fellow parents and family members as they support their students through their Pomona journeys. Also assisting with programming, FLC members have hosted Summer Welcome Parties for new families across the U.S., donated their time and talents as featured speakers during Family Weekend and lent their professional expertise to career programs and panels.

Pomona parent Bill Riley P’26 stepped into the role of chair of the Family Leadership Council at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. As chair, Riley leads the way in connecting with and engaging Sagehen families around the world. Read on to learn why Riley took on his new role as chair, his vision for the council and his advice to families on getting involved at Pomona.

What made you take on your new role as chair of the Family Leadership Council?

I believe a strong liberal arts education helps our students think more critically, understand topics from different points of view, create cultural awareness and begin to foster a passion for lifelong learning. Part of their journey is identifying what really resonates with them and serves their true self. Pomona faculty foster this introspection and programs like PCIP and SURP afford them exploration of undiscovered areas of interest. I am grateful my son is part of this community and I hope this council will help contribute to the amazing Â鶹´«Ã½ experience.

What is your vision for the Family Leadership Council?

It is nice being able to connect with other families going through this same period in our lives. This council provides us with exposure to campus life and allows us to be a part of our students’ journeys – at a responsible distance, of course. I hope to foster more frequent and candid discussions among our Sagehen families and help make Pomona a part of all our lives. The families on this council have raised some amazing students who themselves have so much to offer. I want to encourage everyone to be active in their communities and tell the Â鶹´«Ã½ story. We have a great story to tell.

What should families be excited about this year?

There are a lot of interesting things happening on campus right now. The new Center for Global Engagement, for one. I also think families will be excited about the middle-income initiative, which will create another level of diversity that we haven’t yet had. Looking at all that is underway, you can tell that Â鶹´«Ã½ isn’t sitting still. I hope that, even in a small way, the Family Leadership Council can help drive these initiatives forward.

What would you say to families who maybe don’t know how to get involved?

For my wife, Alexa, and I, we volunteered to be tour guides at the last Family Weekend. It was fascinating and enriching to meet the families because, invariably, they tell their stories too. When we first started thinking about volunteering, we started small. I went to the Â鶹´«Ã½ Families website and filled out the form with things I would be interested in. A staff member followed up with me, and the rest was a natural progression. One of my favorite things to do as a parent volunteer is making phone calls to other families. I get to have a conversation and build relationships with people all over the world who are having the same experience. Leaning on that network of families is where we all should start.

To learn more about the Family Leadership Council, please contact Craig Hyland, assistant vice president of development. Find information on getting involved at Pomona and Sagehen family events, including Family Weekend and Commencement, on the Families website.