Transforming Education for Adult Learners
Student success is a guiding principle across institutions and should serve as the north star for how they design their experience. Today, there are over 43 million adults who have started at an institution of higher education and left prior to earning a degree. In fact, the average graduation rate at 4-year institutions is just over 60%, where it has languished for decades. There are a bevvy of retention efforts at institutions all over the country, most not having moved the needle as indicated by the national average graduation rate. While those efforts remain critically important, we have an ethical obligation to reengage with those who have left our institutions before graduating.
Addressing adult students as a distinct market segment, rather than grouping them with traditional students, allows us to better meet their specific needs and build on their unique experiences. This approach needs to address issues which may be confronting them and could be hampering their ability to return to school. These include learning modalities, course scheduling, convenience in accessing coursework and a strong support system. It also needs to provide a clear and well-oiled entry-point to the institution as well as an academic pathway enabling them to advance in or even enter the workforce.
Online learning serves as a platform that enables greater flexibility in one’s schedule and can bring together students from broader geographic backgrounds. Many industries introduced more robust virtual services during the pandemic so a much more vast number of the populace are used to interacting in such a manner. Universities can provide robust student support through virtual means now to help students persist and graduate.
The session will examine how well-designed online programs and virtual support services can drive engagement and accommodate adult learners' diverse needs.
In this discussion, we will explore the nuances of the adult student population and share practical strategies to enhance their retention, strengthen their engagement, and ultimately help them achieve their academic and professional goals.