Enhancing Continuing Education: Adult Learners Program Jennifer Beaverson Benita Holloman Emily Hummel Hailey Schuchart

Introduction Adult students are commonly defined as those students that are above the age of twenty-five (Pelletier, 2010). “More than 47% of students who are currently enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States are older than 25” (Stamats as cited in Pelletier, 2010, para. 5). How do Universities view their student population? Our Proposal

Proposal Bradley Resource Center Continuing Education Staff Adult Learner Orientation Telecourses Retention

Results Table 1.1: What is your age? Note: Information taken from Penn State Student Experience Survey

Results Table 1.2: Number of hours worked off Note: Information taken from Penn State Student Experience Survey

Results Table 2.1: If offered would you register for classes being taught on a Saturday or in the evening? Note: Information taken from Penn State Student Experience Survey

Results Table 3: Survey Comments  Please, please consider weekend courses!!  I feel for older adult students returning to school they should have a better support system established to assist them. The continuing education department needs to become more visible and active on campus. They are not taking an interactive approach when it comes to meeting the needs of older adult students transitioning into college life. There also needs to be more diversity on campus and a reflection of that would be to have more awareness and inclusion on campus.  Extend library hours, or make it open 24 hours. I get the majority of my work done there and only get as much work done as the library hours allow me. Many students come to the library for resources, but many come to isolate themselves and concentrate on schoolwork as well. The environment the library provides allows us students to get work done efficiently with minimal distractions. I understand this hours issue applies to the rest of the Penn State campuses as well. Our professors tell us they used to "live" in the library, staying up late working on a paper, or going into school very early to get a head start on schoolwork. We don't have that option and are susceptible to distractions at homes/dorms/apartments which affect our academic performance in the long run.  Recognize the fact that adult learners are NOT just another student. Granted, we "fit in"; but we have scheduling needs that are not being addressed (ie. bookstore hours).  I believe each class should be offered at night and during the day! It is impossible to have a normal work schedule as a teenager when all my classes are only offered at night.  It would have been nice to have some of the activities that were offered during the day, in the middle of the week, to have been offered in the evening. This would have allowed students that work full with families to have an opportunity to attend. I found that several events that I was attracted to were only offered during the middle of the day during the week and I was unable to attend because of work.

Bradley Resource Center

Continuing Education Staff Staff Salary Bands Effective July 1, 2013 Salary Bands Minimum Midpoint Maximum A$15,792$23,280$30,780 B$17,364$25,608$33,852 C$18,780$28,164$37,548 D$20,664$30,996$41,328 E$23,136$34,704$46,272 F$25,920$38,880$51,840 G$28,560$43,536$58,536 H$32,544$49,620$66,708 I$37,104$56,568$76,056 (The rest is online) **These salary bands have been established to provide guidelines for staff positions. There may be business circumstances which require establishment of salaries outside of the guidelines. In those circumstances, Recruitment & Compensation will be consulted. Penn State Office of Human Resources Recruitment & Compensation

Adult Learner Orientation

Telecourses Telecourses are generally defined as courses where the professor lectures in a classroom, and that lecture is then transmitted to a different location where students are watching.

Advantages and Beneficial Factors TravelIncrease Classes Cost ReductionAttendance

Implementation Registration Course and Materials Angel Instructors

Retention

Adult Learners are serious about their education and the money they invest in their higher education. Adult Learners view themselves as customers and they shop around to get the best value for their money and education.

Retention Diverse Population Many Adult Learners work and have families to care for while managing college courses Hours of school offices are not adequate to meet time constraints of Adult Learners

Conclusion A campus that is Adult Learner friendly will invite and increase student enrollment. By welcoming students through orientation, providing a building and staff that will cater to them, and allowing the students access to additional classes, Penn State will be able to retain and recruit Adult Learners. Any Questions?