Mountaineer Parents Club Director Lisa Hanselman Committed to Caring for WVU Families

Described by students, faculty and staff as a “campus mom,” Hanselman helps bridge the gap between Mountaineers and their parents throughout the academic year, fostering student independence while keeping families in the loop about life on campus.

Hanselman grew up in Morgantown and attended WVU, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1988. She then moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she met her husband of 30 years, Mark, during a baseball game on the campus of Coastal Carolina University. She briefly returned to WVU to earn a Master of Art in Sport Management in 1993, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2002, the Hanselman family decided to permanently return to Morgantown.

“We loved living in Charlotte, but my husband’s company was precarious,” she said. “I had two small boys that we wanted to raise near grandparents, and my husband wanted to complete his degree, so moving home and being part of WVU just seemed like the best idea.”  

“I thought that it would be a good job until I figured things out,” Hanselman recalled. “About three months in, I realized that I liked the work. I met other University staff and parent volunteers, and I’m still friends with some of them. Through the job, I realized I was meeting so many parents, and I liked them.”

Hanselman’s temporary job turned into a full-time position and, over the past two decades, she has served with the Mountaineer Parents Club as a program assistant, assistant director and now director.

As her three sons grew, two decided to attend WVU, giving her a new perspective about the anxieties Mountaineer families can have about their students.

“It’s a very different experience when it’s your child,” she said. “It helped because I very much understand what families are going through. I always wondered what I didn’t know about my sons’ experiences.”

By the time they arrive on campus, Hanselman and the Mountaineer Parents Club serve as a reassuring presence to freshmen families. Throughout the first weekend, they host “I Survived Move-In” receptions for families to relax and interact.  

“Maybe they haven’t heard from their child in several days,” she said. “We can check and see that someone has eyes on them. I’m happy to call the student as well and just check in and make sure they’re doing what they need to do. A lot of times students are just busy, but if there is a larger concern, we can connect parents with the right resources.”

When not working, Hanselman enjoys bakingand traveling with her husband. While an empty nester herself now, she said she is always willing to fill her “campus mom” role.

“I love Welcome Week. I love Fall Family Weekend and NSO, but my favorite part of the job is whenever I get to meet a family and have a conversation, whether they have a question or want to get to know us,” she said.

“I like being involved. I don’t mind being everybody’s mom.”

Editor’s Note: Photo of Hanselman courtesy of WVU.

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