1. 1 The Adult Student: Preparing For Academic Success Cynthia B. Worthen, Ed.D. AHEA Conf Saratoga Springs, NY October 5-8, 2010

2. 2 OVERVIEW Operational Definition of the Adult Student Why is Adult Student Success Important Adult Student Services That Support Success

3. 3 The Adult Student Does not enter college immediately after high school Does not enter college immediately after high school Attends part time rather than full time Attends part time rather than full time Works 35 hours a week or more Works 35 hours a week or more Is financially independent as defined by financial aid criteria Is financially independent as defined by financial aid criteria Has a dependent other than a spouse Has a dependent other than a spouse Is a single parent Is a single parent Lacks a high school diploma (though may have a GED or other high school equivalency) Lacks a high school diploma (though may have a GED or other high school equivalency)

4. Why Adult Student Services Adult students have work/life responsibilities Enable institutions to retain students Increase institutions effectiveness to meet the educational needs of a specific student body demographic 4

5. 5 Importance of Student Services Competing responsibilities Minority status on campus Variable educational backgrounds Atypical class schedule

6. 6 Guided entry Early warning system Proactive academic advisors Referral to on campus and off campus resources Remediation and/or small group tutoring in all academic subjects Inclusion in campus activities Adult Services That Support Success

7. 7 Dialogue How is student success defined at your institution? What is working at your institution? What needs improvement? What is the organizational learning? What is the adult student demographic on your campus?

8. 8 Resources Croix, Wendy It’s Back to School for Adult Learners: New Traditions in Higher Education retrieved from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/ education- advisor/indepth/adult-learner-online.php 9/14/2009tp://www.worldwidelearn.com/ education- advisor/indepth/adult-learner-online.php O’Donnell, Victoria L and Tobbell, Jane The Transition of Adult Students To Higher Education: Legitimate Peripheral Participation In A Community Practice? Adult Education Quarterly, Vol. 57 No. 4, August 2007 312-328 Rice, Penny J. Adult Student Services Office New Directions for Student Services no. 102, Summer 2003 53-57

9. Contact Cynthia B. Worthen, Ed.D. Argosy University, Washington, DC cworthen@argosy.edu 703.526.5810 9