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Meeting the needs of adult students

Thursday, November 07, 2024
Insight into Diversity

Adult learners, who often juggle work, family, and personal commitments, face unique challenges in their pursuit of higher education. This demographic — defined as students 25 years or older — continues to grow in size, but many institutions struggle to effectively attract, support, and retain them. With more than 82 million adults never having enrolled in postsecondary education and another 40.4 million with some college credit but no degree, there is a clear need for targeted, equitable strategies. “Equity means recognizing that students have different needs because they come from different circumstances,” Yolanda Spiva president of Complete College America said in a keynote speech at the 85th annual American College of Healthcare Executives conference. “These conditions require institutions to understand that adult learners need different approaches, strategies, and messages to reach them, help them gain access to college, and support them in reaching their educational goals.” 

American Institutes for Research

U.S. Department of Education

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