ACHE 2018 Concurrent Sessions
Helping Adult Students and Comebackers Reach the Finish Line with Credit for Prior Learning
Session Description
Recruiting adult students to higher education is not for the faint of heart, and retaining those students to graduation is an even bigger task. With all the things that need to be juggled by this population, it is no wonder that finishing the degree drops to the bottom of the list. This presentation will highlight a degree completion program at the University of Memphis that utilizes Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) to help students reach the finish line (aka graduation). Through CLEP exams, portfolio credit, and even Continuing Education courses, we have graduated 440+ students since launching the program in the fall of 2013. Come learn how we started, what we've learned, and how you can start a similar program at your campus.
Primary Presenter
Tracy Robinson, The University of Memphis
Brief Bio
Tracy Robinson currently serves as Director of Innovative Academic Initiatives at the University of Memphis coordinating credit for prior learning activities and directing the Finish Line Program, a degree completion initiative that re-recruits students who earned 90 or more credit hours but left the university before earning their degree. Under her leadership, the Finish Line Program has been recognized for numerous awards including Outstanding Advising Program by National Academic Advising Association, Turning Points Award by Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, and the Credit Program Award by Tennessee Alliance for Continuing Education.
In 2017, Ms. Robinson received a Veteran Reconnect Grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to enhance prior learning pathways for military connected students. She also serves on the THEC Veteran Prior Learning taskforce. Prior to her current role, Ms. Robinson served as an instructor and academic advisor. She was selected as Distinguished Advisor in 2010.