2016 Annual Conference

Adult learners are going back to college because of the increasing global market, changing technology skills, or the lack of job training. No matter what the reasons are, they are faced with challenges not addressed by administrators of Institutions of Higher Learning. This is an untapped area that needs attention.

The targeted audience for this presentation should include higher education administrators. They are the decision makers who are in the position to develop and implement procedures and policies specifically for adult learners. In addition, the audience should include academic advisors, counselors, admissions staff, and faculty. These are individuals who provide instructions, advising, counseling, and support services to nontraditional students. Others are recruiters, financial aid advisors, career planners, representatives of local organizations, community agencies, and employers. With all the above individuals and local entities working together, adult learners will overcome the struggles and challenges they encountered as they matriculated through college.

The session description will include a literature review of challenges and barriers adult learners are faced with at different institutions. Thereafter, the presenter will discuss specific challenges and barriers faced by adult learners at her institution (Historically Black Institution) that were initially not being addressed by staff, faculty or administrators. In addition, the presenter will discuss what her institution has put in place (policies, procedures, programs, organizations, etc.) to remove barriers faced by adult learners. Discussions will address how financial aid and career planning services are introduced to this population before or at the onset of enrollment during the Orientation Program. During orientation, students are informed about how to access financial aid or how to arrange for payment plans at the university. Other strategies include academic support clinic (tutoring in the areas of reading, writing, and math), organizations, credit for prior learning, advising during the evening hours as well as on weekends for students, daycare services for children of adult students taking classes, online program classes, online workshops for those students who have never taken an online class, etc. will be discussed. The presenter will discuss the implementation of credit for prior learning and the implementation of the online program.