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Stepping into a classroom on the first day of the semester can be nerve-wracking, whether you’re 18 or 81. For adult learners — students who are over 25, have dependents, work while attending school, or are otherwise nontraditional — it’s already a balancing act to earn a degree while juggling work and family responsibilities. Trying to carve out time to build personal connections on campus can be daunting.

To support these adult learners at 51�Թ������ܿƴ�, the Adult Learner Advisory Board is launching the inaugural Adult Learner Summit on Friday, April 5. Taking students' busy schedules into consideration, the summit will equip students with the essential tools and resources they need to successfully navigate university life — covering everything from transitioning back into student mode after an extended hiatus, to managing financial aid and career development.

The summit is designed to foster a supportive environment and launch meaningful connections between adult learners and campus, the community, and to each other.

The Adult Learner Summit

The summit is the brainchild of Rochelle Walker, senior academic advisor in the College of Fine Arts, who was inspired by her own experience as an adult learner.

“I began my journey as a master’s student in the College of Education in 2015. I was out of school for 18 years, and coming back, I had so many questions like, ‘What is a clicker?’ and, ‘What is MLA formatting?’"

"It was a lot, and on top of everything, I had two kids under the age of six,” says Walker.

Now a co-chair on the advisory board, Walker is eager to introduce the summit to the 51�Թ������ܿƴ� community. Her own experiences, combined with the feedback she received from the students she advises, highlighted a clear need for resources tailored specifically for adult learners.

Walker says, “What I’ve found with advising adult learners is that it's hard for them to be connected to campus. A lot of them are caretakers of young children, parents, pets, or other matters. They can’t really connect to campus partners. The goal of this event is to bring the students together so they know that they’re represented and can connect with their peers.”

Walker isn’t alone in her findings. A found that there was a positive relationship between engagement experiences and student achievement, such as grade point averages and retention rates. In short: students who connect with their universities have better academic outcomes.

Living Your Best Life: Balancing School, Work, and Family

Keeping in mind the needs of adult learners, the summit is intentionally scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We’re ending it early, so that attendees have enough time to pick up their children after school,” says Walker.

To make the event even more accessible, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and attendees are invited to bring their children for the day. A dedicated children’s area will be available to ensure an inclusive experience for all students.

Walker assures, “It’s not going to be stuffy. We’re having everybody come together to get the information they need and just making it a meaningful experience for our students.”

In addition to breakout sessions that answer common questions and concerns adult learners have, there will be a student panel led by nontraditional students. CJ Edwards is both on the summit’s planning committee and on the student panel.  

As a 91.5 Rebel HD2 radio host, professional dancer, and graduate student earning a degree in public administration, Edwards understands the importance of community and support networks for adult learners.

“It is not easy being an adult learner due to the age variance. It can be difficult to find and connect to resources, so this event is something that will help with that,” says Edwards. “I hope the students learn about the many ways to get connected, find their tribe, and utilize all the resources to be as successful as possible.”

Edwards is looking forward to being a part of the panel so that he can answer the many questions students might have. “This journey is not meant to be walked alone. This summit is for you: Take advantage. Spread the word and tell a friend!”

Beyond the Summit

The summit is one example of how the Adult Learner Advisory Board works to provide engaging resources and create a community to improve students' lives and build a better academic experience. The board also partners with the to promote several re-entry scholarships earmarked especially for 51�Թ������ܿƴ� students returning to higher education after an extended interruption in education due to situations, for example, like family commitments, military service, or finances.

Earning a degree while balancing life’s demands can be challenging, but advisors like Walker, students like Edwards, and resources like the advisory board work to support adult learners from the first day of the semester through to graduation.

“When students have a good connection to the institution that they are attending, it's going to make their academics better," Walker says. "A lot of adult learners feel like they don't matter. But they do. It's essential for our adult learners to know that we're here for them.”