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Adult Learners Advising Community

The Adult Learners Advising Community serves advisors who spend a significant portion of their duties serving adult students. Through the sharing of information and experiences, our community assists advisors and administrators in understanding, addressing, and advocating for the unique needs of adult learners. Resources, found under the ‘More Links’ section on the right side of the page, focus on the following critical areas for adult learner success:

  1. support for their learning development;
  2. student and academic services convenient for adults;
  3. networking and community building opportunities;
  4. strategies for balancing work, life, and school responsibilities;
  5. motivation to complete their programs.

Who is an Adult Learner?

While there is no consistent definition of who is considered an adult learner, there are various factors to consider in determining how you or your institution want to define this student population. If conducting research or implementing a policy, the term should be defined for that particular use. Here are some of the typical characteristics that often apply to many “adult learners”:

  • 25+ years old
  • Students who do not fit the typical profile of the 18- to 22-year-old full-time undergraduate (Giancola, Munz, & Trares, 2008)
  • First-time college student 21+ years old (Davidson & Holbrook, 2014)
  • Returning to school after stopping out
  • Juggling school with work/family/life responsibilities
  • “Any student, regardless of age, who has adult responsibilities beyond college classes, and for whom those adult responsibilities take priority in times of crisis” (NACADA’s Advising Adult Learners Commission)
  • Students of any age who are “married, handicapped, racially or ethnically diverse, female, or part-time” (Kasworm, Polson, & Fishback, 2002)
  • Unemployed and seeking a new avenue in life (Varney & Peck, 2012)

Common terms to name this population include

  • Adult Learner
  • Non-Traditional or Post-Traditional Student
  • Adult Student
  • Returning Adults
  • Adult Returners
  • Mature Learners  

Two Things About Working with Adult Learners

According to members of this Advising Community, the following are two key needs to keep in mind when working with the adult learner population.
  1. Adult learners need the utmost flexibility from their advisors and institutions. 
    1. What methods are available to conduct advising appointments? 
    2. What offices hours are provided for your students? 
    3. What classroom options are available? 
    4. What course options do they have? 
  2. Adult learners need to feel like they are being respected and receiving good customer service. 
    1. How quickly and accurately do you respond to students’ needs? 
    2. Do you take the extra step to help an adult learner find information, ask more in-depth questions, and plan their curriculum? 

Online Discussions

Past Online Event Discussion Recordings: are located on NACADA's Advising Communities Division's homepage. Login to your NACADA member profile to view a full listing of past Advising Community online event recordings.
 
June 2023

Am I an Imposter?
Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: What is Imposter Syndrome? What does this mean? How does this affect our students, and ultimately ourselves as we support our students? We will talk about strengths, successes, and accomplishments and we will discuss the implications on mental health and learn about strategies to help overcome imposter syndrome when working with adult learners, and some takeaways for ourselves as professionals.

Presenter: 

  • Cara Nissen, Mount Saint Mary’s University

April 2023

Current Research Discussion: Exploring Extra-Institutional Social Supports and Their Impact on Adult Learner Student Entry, Retention, and Persistence
Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 3:00 PM CT

Event Description: The educational journey of adult learners can be complex and riddled with hurdles. Join us for a discussion surrounding the benefits of extra-institutional social supports and how they can help your students persist to graduation. Dr. Matthew J. Leisen will share his doctoral research and lead us in a discussion of what higher education institutions can do to encourage community members who are the extra-institutional support of their adult learners. 

Presenter: 

  • Matthew J. Leisen, South Central College

Moderator: 

  • Becky White, Augsburg University
February 2023

Coffee Talks: How to Write a Strong Conference Proposal
Friday, February 3, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: NACADA 2023 Conference Proposals are due soon. Join the Adult Learners Advising Community for coffee and conversation as we discuss what makes a strong conference proposal. We’ll cover some of the basics of what goes into a conference proposal, share our experiences as proposal reviewers and what we look for in a proposal, provide tips for a strong proposal, and answer any of your proposal-related questions. This is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues through informal conversation. Purpose - Networking and connecting with the community through informal conversation.

Co-Presenters: 

  • Shannon Johnson, Temple University
  • Stephanie Fahey, Old Dominion University
  • Douglas Luke, Boston University
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College
January 2023

Coffee Talks: Brainstorming Ideas for NACADA 2023
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: Join the Adult Learners Advising Community for coffee and conversation as we brainstorm ideas for future conference proposals. This is an excellent opportunity to get feedback on an idea you may have or connect with another professional who is interested in a similar topic. This is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues through informal conversation. The Scholarship subcommittee of the Adult Learners Advising Community invites you to a brainstorming session. We will be discussing potential ideas for NACADA Annual Conference program proposals. Please come to share your ideas and connect with others who are interested in presenting! This event will be followed by a proposal writing event in February which aims to take the brainstorming session ideas and help potential presenters bring them to fruition! 

Co-Presenters: 

  • Shannon Johnson, Temple University
  • Stephanie Fahey, Old Dominion University
  • Douglas Luke, Boston University
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College
September 2022

Coffee Talks: Conference Attendance Tips
Friday, September 23, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: Join the Adult Learners Advising Community for coffee and conversation as we share tips for getting the most out of attending the NACADA Annual Conference in October.  We’ll cover some basic logistics of navigating a large conference, provide networking suggestions, and answer your conference-related questions.  This is also a great opportunity to network with colleagues through informal conversation.

Facilitators: 

  • Shannon Johnson, Temple University
  • Deanna Donaugh, Kent State University
July 2022

Article Discussion: Advising Adult Learners During the Transition to College
Friday, July 15, 2022, at 2:00 PM CT

The Adult Learners Advising Community would like to invite you to join us in discussing the article, “Advising Adult Learners During the Transition to College” (Karmelita, 2020). Please read the article ahead of time.  This session will include a scholarly discussion of the article and its findings as well as adding our own perspectives based on past experiences.

Presenters: 

  • Deanna Donaugh, Kent State University
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College
June 2022

Writing Discussion: Learn How to Write for NACADA
Friday, June 3, 2022, at 2:30 PM CT

The Adult Learners Advising Community would like to invite you to join us in discussing how you can write for NACADA. During this time we will learn more about the NACADA writing options including Academic Advising Today, NACADA Review, and the NACADA Journal.  We would love to hear what topics you’d be interested in writing about regarding adult learners and possibly connect folks who would like to collaborate on writing! 

Presenters: 

  • Deanna Donaugh, Kent State University
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College

View the Slides

April 2022

Coffee Talk
Friday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: Join the Adult Learners Advising Community for coffee and conversation as we discuss challenges adult learners face and bring into advising sessions. We will discuss their challenges as well as the challenges we face as professionals when working with this unique student population. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues through informal conversation.

Moderators: 

  • Cara Nissen, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
  • Shannon Johnson, Temple University

Article Discussion: Best Practices in Advising Non-traditional Students
Friday, April 29, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: The Adult Learners Advising Community would like to invite you to join us in discussing the Academic Advising Today article, “Best Practices in Advising Non-traditional Students” (Sapp & Williams, 2015).  Please read the article ahead of time.  This session will include a scholarly discussion of the article and allow participants to add their own best practices to the discussion as a follow-up to our earlier Coffee Talks event a couple of weeks ago on challenges adult learners face.

Facilitators: 

  • Deanna Donaugh, Kent State University
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College
July 2021

Adult Learners As The New Kids On The Higher Education Block
Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 3:00 PM CT

Event Description: Adult learners are making their presence known in growing numbers on college campuses as well as in online programs. Colleges and universities are vigorously competing for them as the number of traditional college age students’ declines. This presentation answers questions about adult learners. Who are they? What are their expectations of higher learning? What are the barriers they face? How can advisors best connect with them? What can advisors do in forging and strengthening relationships with adult learner advisees? These and other related topics will be addressed in the presentation. Opportunities to ask questions will be available at the end of the presentation. 

Presenters:

  • Dennis Zmija, Brandman University
  • Paul Trela, SUNY-Empire State College
  • Juanita Bushman, Salt Lake Community College

View Slides

May 2021

Supporting Adult Learners Through COVID-19 and Beyond: A Panel Conversation with Adult Learner Advising Specialists
Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 2:00 PM CT

Event Description: Covid and Beyond! Best Practices for Adult Learner Student Success! Special attention will be paid to best practices which support these learners through the pandemic. An exploration of what worked before, during and after. In this ever-changing world, how can we tweak our services to best serve these non-traditional learners?

Presenters: 

  • Ellen Miller, Hofstra University
  • Shannon Johnson, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  • Ben Jamieson, Just-A-Start Corporation

Moderator: 

  • Cindy Firestein, Simmons University

View the Slides