Returning to graduate school after a lengthy absence can be a major life decision; at least it was for me, in terms of relocation, job shifts, schedule management, reorganization of…
Student
Employer Lifelong Learning Programs Help Students Succeed
Thomas Rasbach | Assistant Store Manager, Walmart Stores Inc.Working for Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has its advantages. I began working for the company in 1999 as a cart pusher and worked my way through every department in…
Last week, as I walked on stage to receive my associate’s degree, I told my classmates I was trading my veteran’s cords for honors cords. It is this very transition…
Good Advice Can Make All the Difference for Non-Traditional Students
Virginia Wilson | Student, University of MaineThe following interview is with Virginia Wilson, a non-traditional student at the University of Maine. Wilson was a recipient of the 2012 Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship, awarded by Destiny Solutions.…
Although I was excited to go back to school, turning 30 in my freshman year made me very aware of the age gap I was about to experience. Being a…
Resilience Key for Non-Traditional Students
Moon Soe | Student, Metropolitan State UniversityThe following interview is with Moon Soe, a non-traditional student at the Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. Soe was one of the 2012 Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship winners, awarded by…
The main reason I returned to higher education was that I worked more than 40 hours a week and still could not support my family of four. The reason I…
Exploring the Integration of Non-Traditional Students on Campus
Allison De La Torre | Student, UC Santa BarbaraThe following interview is with Allison De La Torre, an adult student at UC Santa Barbara. De La Torre recently discussed some of the challenges adult students have when it…
Receiving a college education, developing one’s competencies and continuing lifelong learning is consistently met with fear as the cost of education continues to rise. Educational institutions are combating these high…
Five Critical Services for Non-Traditional Students
Lori Perkovich | Master's Student, New York UniversityA large number of non-traditional students enroll in traditional education programs across the country every year. The varied circumstances of these individuals differ from those of a traditional student and,…
Now, more than ever, people are enrolling in college degree programs, especially those who have been in the workplace for a significant amount of time. College enrollment is at record-high…
My Educational Experiences and Future Plans
Moon Soe | Student, Metropolitan State UniversityThe following is one of two winning essays composed for the 2012 The Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship. The scholarship is one of few annual awards that recognize non-traditional students and…
The following is one of two winning essays composed for the 2012 The Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship. The scholarship is one of few annual awards that recognize non-traditional students and…
Five Essential Mechanisms for Supporting Non-Traditional Student Success
Todd McCullough | President, Adults Belong in CollegeI never expected to be a non-traditional student. In fact, I was quite content in my daily ritual of going to a well-paying job that supported my family’s needs. That…
At first I didn’t know where to begin, telling my story, but those before me have said, “Start at the beginning.” So I will. I was unhappy with my career…
Phase 1: Choosing a Learning Direction
Cody McGee | Business Analyst, Destiny SolutionsI’ve been thinking a lot about my next steps in continuing my education. When I was in high school, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. There’s still…
Graduate distance learners have chosen their educational path based on many factors, including quality of experience offered, future plans, feasibility, flexibility and overall program structure. Be it that their backgrounds…
Adults in Higher Education: A Changing Role
Crystal Trotter | Student, Eastern Illinois UniversityAdult postsecondary students continue to increase in numbers across both for-profit and non-profit institutions. There are many reasons for these changes, such as the economy, competitive job markets and family…
There is no question that times have changed in higher education. Long gone are the days of walking three miles to school, uphill both ways, in a blinding blizzard; or…
Land Grant 2023: Massively Open Online Extension Services
Addison Stark | Doctoral Student, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe land-grant institutions of 2023 will look very different from those familiar to us today, the brick-and-mortar institutions focused on the agricultural and mechanical arts. A decade from now, these…
I spent most of my career as a communications manager in the entertainment industry. After a layoff in 2008, I worked on small projects, went on interviews and slowly figured…
The Importance of Integrating Multicultural Learning Into Teachers’ Professional Development Programming (Part 2)
Pepper Lynn Werner | Doctoral Student, University of WyomingLast week, Pepper Lynn Werner looked at the role of Family Involvement in integrating multicultural education into teachers’ professional development. This is the series conclusion. So, how should teachers conceptualize…
“Multicultural education is a philosophical concept built on the ideals of freedom, justice, equality, equity, and human dignity…” (NAME, 2003) Research has shown there are limitless benefits to multiculturalism in…
The Struggles and Rewards of Being a Non-Traditional Student
Crystal Trotter | Student, Eastern Illinois UniversityThe challenges of being a non-traditional student are sometimes overwhelming. I am a Political Science major at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). I have three children: Austin (13), Karleigh (10) and…
According to Wikipedia, a MOOC is a massive open online course aimed at large-scale participation and open access via the web. This has been my experience exactly. I am currently…
MOOCs: A (Mostly Harmless) Hustle
Chris Peterson | Researcher, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMOOCs are everywhere. They swarm and darken the sun. Those involved with education speak of them in tones hushed by dread (if they work for traditional institutions) or delight (if…
Quick: what comes to your mind when someone says "social media"? If you're like most people, you'll probably first think of products and platforms. And it's easy to see why.…
Designing Programs for Adult-Friendly Colleges and Universities
Simon Quattlebaum | Teacher, New Jersey Public SchoolsWhen we were children, most of us had teachers who knew much more than we did. These teachers usually told us what to learn. As adults, we may not know…
The following interview is with Michael Cary, an experienced Talent Management and Training professional who is an alumnus of the University of Michigan. In the interview, Cary discusses his own…
Behind My Decision: Picking the Right Institution
Asta Turner | Student, Pfeiffer UniversityWhen you are young, sometimes you make mistakes that affect your life down the road. One of the mistakes that a number of young adults make is to finish high…