The “New” Traditional Student:Adult Learners

Anissa D. Jones, Ed.D.August 2009

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Purpose of PresentationProvide information on the Adult

Learner through:

◦Definitions◦National Perspective Data◦DePaul University Data

◦Provide you with my vision of support and advocacy for adult learners

Adult Learners: The New Undergraduate Majority

Adult students have been loosely identified with a larger group characterized as “non traditional”. However the stereotyped image of the college student as one who is 18-23 years old in residential, full-time study is being challenged by a new reality.

U.S. Economy◦ Information Driven◦ College degree is increasingly important as a credential

in the market

Possible Characteristics of Adult Learners

Delayed enrollment Part time Financially independent of parents Work full time Have dependents and partners Single parent Lack standard H.S. diploma Veterans

National Center for Education Statistics

◦60 % of students in U. S. higher education can be characterized as “non traditional”.

◦43% of students in U. S. higher education are age 25 or older.

DePaul University’s Adult population

Adult/Graduate Enrollment

Commerce-2182

COC-178

CDM-1898 Education-1310Law-1044 LAS-1658MUS-126 SNL-2127Theatre-39 TOTAL-13790

TOTAL = 13,790

LOOP BASED = 7,429

DePaul University’s Adult populationAdult students are approximately

47% of the overall DePaul student population at 13, 790

Loop based (CDM, Law, Commerce, SNL) make up more

than 50% of that number at7,429

National TrendsIncrease in adult student

enrollment and available educational opportunities.

◦In 2004, 39% of students at higher education institutions were 25 years or older, compared with 28% in 1970. By 2012, over half of the student population enrolled in degree granting institutions is expected to be over the age of 25.

DePaul TrendsDecrease in the student enrollment in

SNL from 2004-2007 by 3.4 % impacting the overall adult enrollment to go from approximately 51% to 47% during that time

Slight increase in full-time enrollment (Non-SNL) by 4.1% with largest shift in College of Communication

(OIPR Fact file)

National Trends-Distance LearningOverall distance learning courses

increased from 1.98 million in 2003 to 2.35 million in 2004.

◦(Sloan, Growing by Degrees: Online Education in the United States”, 2005)

DePaul TrendsIncrease in distance learning

courses

◦Distance learning courses are 42% of graduate enrollment

National Trends on Disciplines targeting Adult LearnersTeacher Education

Hospitality and Tourism

Human Resources

Quality Assurance

DePaul Trends :New Hospitality Program in

College of Commerce

Non profit sector

More connections with CPS for School of Education Teacher preparation programs

Myths about the Adult LearnerSince most adult college students

are highly functional and resourceful, they do not need the same level of support as traditional undergraduate students.

Adults always know what they want

All adults are capable decision makers

Adults desire to return to school

Reality Adult learners need as much as, if not more than, their younger

cohorts in the way of quality academic and student support

Many adults do not have a clear objective when they enroll in a course (they attempt to not enroll in courses that will not lea them to their goal but sometimes they aren’t sure about the goal

Decision making is not a natural skill, it is a learned skill. There is a difference between choices and decisions. Choices indicate options that can be selected from on an individual’s preference. Decisions call for much more analyzing of a specific problem and not everyone is prepared for that

Most adult return to school out of some need

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)

Adult Student Affairs

Center for Adult ,Continuing, and Career Changers Educational Student Services

ACCESS Center

A New Center-A New VisionIn an effort to contribute to the

recruitment, retention, persistence and graduation of adult students, a plan to redesign the Adult Student Center into the Adult Student Affairs Center for Adult, Continuing, Career Changers Educational Student Services

ACCESS Center

Why the name change?The University must connect this

space with the needs of the adult population and the types of resources and services it will provide. The “Adult Student Center” does not give the student or potential student enough knowledge about what to expect in this space. When expectations change, the culture can change.

What would be different?ASA will contribute to the

recruitment, retention, persistence and graduation of adult students by utilizing the Principles of Effectiveness set forth by the Council of Adult Experiential Learning and a clear identification of those things that make adult students successful.

Principles for Effectiveness for AdultsOutreachLife and Career PlanningFinancingAssessment of Learning

OutcomesTeaching and Learning ProcessStudent Support SystemsTechnologyStrategic Partnerships

What shapes success?AccessPersistenceIndividual MotivationFamily and Community

assistanceInstitutional policies

Where can we effect change?OutreachLife and Career PlanningStudent Support SystemsTranslation of CompetenciesStrategic Partnerships

All in an effort to shape success!

OutreachASA will be front and center with

the new Adult Enrollment Center (removing the admissions process from the college offices) in connecting with potential and incoming students to make them aware of the resources available to them through the Center.

Life and Career PlanningAsset Based Life Skills Coaching

◦ASA professional staff will be trained skills coaches using an asset based model. We will engage the academic units in discussion to create “mentors” or coaches for their students as a way to engage them in a process of lifelong learning.

◦Assessing goals before or at the start of enrollment to help adult learners reach their goals

Student Support SystemsASA will work to address the life

circumstances of adults i.e. adult center orientation and advising, extended hours and services.

Creation of cohort groups for support

Translation of competenciesParticularly for SNL students but

not exclusive to them, ASA staff can assist students with understanding the soft skills that make them employable and how to extract them from the courses they are taking.

Problem solving, interpersonal communication, teamwork, planning, critical thinking, self awareness, etc.

Strategic Partnerships◦ASA will engage in strategic

relationships and partnerships internally and externally in order to develop and improve educational opportunities for adult learners Partner with academic units to provide

evening/weekend tutoring services for adult students in writing and math in the new center

Partner with academic units to create and academic skills success series in the new center

Partner with academic units and student services offices to expand orientation for adults

Strategic partnerships cont’dPartner with Career Services and

their external employers to create options for students to utilize their spaces as additional “classrooms” for study or education related activity when not being used for business-related activities.

ExpertiseAdult students deserve an expert

in the field of adult learning and development to focus on their needs and expand the conversation on adult students within the University’s goal.

OVERALLCreate a more holistically and

academically focused ASA and Center utilizing the knowledge base centered on adult learning and development as well as Student support.