The Temple Family Council is a group of diverse, highly dedicated Temple family members who volunteer their time and knowledge to enhance the Temple student and family experience.
Our Council members are here to offer support, advice, and guidance to their fellow Temple parents and families. We encourage you to reach out to members directly via their listed email address if you connect with something in their bio. This is round two of our Member Spotlights, and more are to come!
Susanne Forst | Gaithersburg, MD | susanne.forst@yahoo.com
Student School/College and major: College of Science and Technology, Physics & Fox School of Business, Actuarial Science
Student housing experiences: 1300, Temple Towers, Morgan Hall North, off campus apartment with Temple Resev on 17th St between Berks and Montgomery.
Student Involvement: Honors, Honors Admissions and Transitions Teams, Men's Basketball manager, Physics club, Gamma Iota Sigma
What I wish I knew as a new Temple parent: How wonderful the Health Care options are in Philadelphia is things go unimaginably wrong. How every department at Temple will work together to take care of your student and your family. How valuable Disability Services is.
My piece of advice: Don't sweat the small stuff so much. You can never be prepared for everything and the most important thing is to look for the positive and realize your students are growing from every challenge they face and manage.
Fun fact: I was in the Diamond Marching Band when attending Temple and I met my husband in the band.
Reach out to me if you have questions about: Safety, Academic Resources, Disability Resources and Services
Neal Goldstein | Long Beach, NY | Goldstein@eglaw.com
Student School/College and major: College of Public Health, Speech, Language and Hearing
Student housing experiences: Morgan and off campus residences
Student involvement: Inchaarg (Fitness)
What I wish I knew as a new Temple parent: How to evaluate off campus housing (we weren’t ready for that as a freshman)
My piece of advice: Temple offers so much, talk to your student, encourage them to engage in all that the school and the city has to offer .
A moment of pride: I couldn’t be more proud of how she has handled the pandemic challenge and putting herself out there to meet new people.
Reach out to me if you have questions about: Off-campus housing, Student Involvement (clubs and organizations), Relationship building
Deirdre Thompson | Columbia, MD | deirdre.thompson4@gmail.com
Student School/College and major: School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Sport Management
Student housing experiences: On-campus housing
Student involvement: Rugby Team
What I wish I knew as a new Temple family member: The information that is received as a Freshman is overwhelming. Organizing and focusing on policies and procedures by priority.
My piece of advice: Take the time to know the faculty and support staff in your son/daughters major. Stay in touch. Departmental newsletters, informational sessions, etc.
Fun fact: I am Jhalen's grandmother. His parents are military. I am the closest relative in case of emergency and I am a professor. I have shared my experiences and knowledge as a parent and as an educator. Reach out to me if you have questions about: Safety, Academic Resources, Student Involvement
Did you miss round one of our Member Spotlights? Check it out: Member Spotlights Round One
Interested in joining the Temple Family Council? Fill out our Interest Form and we’ll reach out to you when applications open in Fall 2021!
