Keeping Up With the Kids ~ When Mom & Dad Go Back to College!

Let’s Start With A Bit Of Fun!

Presentation Overview ~ Adult Learners and Efforts in Recruitment/Marketing Adult Learners and the Admissions Process Adult Learners and Transfer Evaluations Adult Learners and Orientations Adult Learners and Advising Adult Learners and Efforts in Retention Recruitment & Marketing What are some barriers or difficulties in recruiting adult learners? What are some best practices that could help? Transfer Evaluations Many adult learners have a keen interest in transfer evaluations Using this process to recruit and retain adult learners Orientations can be critical Discuss the use of orientations for adult learners

Adult Learners & Efforts in Recruitment/Marketing Barriers & Pitfalls Not in localized area, i.e. high school Failed or withdrew the first time around Prior student debt Frustration with “red tape” Insecure with technology Localization Easier to recruit in high schools for traditional age students Universities can recruit at community colleges for adult learners Business & Industry is final “localized” arena. May need to design recruitment in wide-net effort Social media? Conferences? BSN target populations Failed ~ withdrew ~ prior debt Need to show flexibility, empathy, possible debt forgiveness? Red-Tape Little understanding for “the system” We know the reasons for what we do, but adult learners do not Minimize anxiety by not “passing” student from place to place. Technology? May know email, but what else?

Adult Learners & Efforts in Recruitment/Marketing Best Practices ~ Good Customer Service! Best Marketing is Word of Mouth Ensure Seamless Transition Minimize “Red Tape” Minimize Fears of Technology Start Small ~ Certificates that Grow Customer Service ~ Requests for information ~ quick response with good information Timely response to any questions and instructions on application Do NOT pass to someone else! Take care of your potential applicants ~ Word of Mouth is your best recruitment method. If transferring, make sure it moves seamlessly. Check that credits did move they way they need to. Look over DARS carefully for coding errors. Don’t allow adult learner to get tied up in red tape. Don’t send them to Registration, or Financial Aid, or Advising Center ~ Get them the answers they need and provide customer service! Don’t let them feel overwhelmed. Help them take small bites first ~ show them how it can be broken down into manageable parts

Admissions ~ Remember ~ Customer Service is the Key! Supply Next Steps Be Helpful ~ answer any questions respectfully Be Respectful ~ remember the Golden Rule Be Timely ~ complete the process in an expeditious time frame Supply Next Steps Be Responsive ~ provide information on next steps Be Informative ~ give provide complete information Provide Contacts Be Forthcoming ~ provide contacts for additional services

Credit Transfer Evaluations ~ Area of Concern for Adult Learners~ Prior Failure/Poor Performance Fear this will impede returning Misunderstanding of Transfer Process Do not understand how credits transfer Equivalents, substitutions, or electives Optimize as much as possible Assist in Reading DARS Interested in Credit for Prior Learning “What Do I have “Left” to Earn Degree? Transfer Specialist can make a large impact here! Work in tandem with academic advisors.

Orientations ~ “How do I …?” Best Practice in Orientations ~ Calm the fears of unknowns Teach “How do I … ? Eases the burdens on Student Services too! Teach the process Explain the reasons behind the red tape Equivalents, substitutions, or electives Optimize as much as possible Assist in Reading DARS Interested in Credit for Prior Learning “What Do I have “Left” to Earn Degree? Orientations are a good teaching tool that is not utilized to its full potential. Online orientation that is required prior to enrollment. Significantly diminished the frequency of calls/emails asking questions. Identifies the students that will need technological assistance.

Best Practices in Advising for Adult Learners Advising Does Matter! One More Time ~ Customer Service! Be helpful in advising Break things down into smaller pieces Responsiveness Matters! “No one is getting back to me” Be responsive & professional Create Plans for Degree Tentative degree plans, continue to revisit Encourage & assist through problems Optimize as much as possible Become the “Go To” Person Do not send to other if possible. Creating Plans for Degree ~ Story about “bad” advising Color coded degree plans & making student select first. Students want someone that is helpful and dependable.

Retention for Adult Learners Enigmatic Nature of Retention Data ~ Difficult to Document Ability to extrapolate adult students Adult learners tend to drop out & come back Qualitative Data is Positive! Provided assistance along the way Could not have made it without help As Always! Customer Service!! Be pleasant and helpful Be honest with mistakes Work together with your learners Adult learner have “life events” that interrupt schooling Starting family Parenting parents Changes in employment Etc. Need programs to be flexible for entrance, exit and re-entry. Sitting out for 1 semester? Maybe for 2 semesters? ~ Use a sitting out code. Not sure? ~ Cancel or end date ISRS information and Re-Admit later. Completion of orientation will also give data on who started and quit. Who may be coming back later…

Any Additional Questions or Comments?

Thank you for your Time & ATTENDANCE! Lori Wynia, Ed.D. Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN