Your Adult Student Program – What Has Changed?
Ask yourself this question seriously. I’m guessing your answer will be something similar to what I hear all across the country – not a whole lot! Many institutions haven’t changed their programs’ offerings, delivery format, or marketing strategy in over 10 years. Sound familiar?
This is shocking, especially considering the bold history that many institutions blazed with very progressive adult student programs a number of years ago. I used to work directly within one of those programs. It was progressive when it started over 35 years ago! Oddly enough, it is still about 85% the exact same program that started 35 years back! What is especially concerning is how common this is. I hear similar stories all the time. What is so interesting to me about these programs is the mentality that they are still surviving and thus doing “just fine.” However, surviving and thriving are two different things.
So who changes the programs’ inner workings? It is probably the people who read this blog; the one’s most directly involved with the adult student initiative at their institutions. I know changing these programs is challenging. Barriers can come from various entities across an institutional climate. But don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Don’t be too deflated to bring up the topic one more time. All too often it is an issue of timing and really, has the time ever been better? Declining numbers of high school graduates for the next 10 years, unemployment at a high, and a new push for veterans to return to college…. Perhaps it is exactly the right time for you to ask about making some change?
Photo by David Reece
