New Leaf ISSUE 02 Spring 2011 in this issue A Family Affair P.1 Adult Student in the Spotlight P.2 History of Adult Student Services P.3 A Family Affair Continued P.4
A Family Affair For some adult students, it’s all “relative.” It’s no surprise that nearly one of every five students at Edinboro University is an adult student. Edinboro has led the way with adult learners for nearly 40 years and has consistently been one of the top universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education for number and percentage of enrolled adult students. What may be surprising is the number of adult students at Edinboro who attend simultaneously with their child. After talking with these students for any length of time, a theme emerges: inspiration. Either the adult student wants to inspire and set an example for his/her child, or it is the child who serves as the inspiration. Cynthia Chuzie-McDowell is in the former category. Cyndi, a nursing major, attends with daughter, Delani, an English-writing major. Cyndi says “I have to set a good example because she is watching and knows when I attend class, study, do well, etc. All I ever do is study, and she sees that when she
Cynthia Chuzie-McDowell with daughter Delani
comes home. I like to think it encourages her to do the same.” Education has always been important in the McDowell household. Cyndi taught both of her daughters that there were 17 years of mandatory school, not 13 – a trick that helped make the college decision simple. For psychology major Marcy Busch, it was her son, Michael, a criminal justice major who served as the inspiration. Marcy says “It has been humorous at times because people do not guess that he is my son when we are talking in the hallways or outside. We love to joke around about who is parked in a ‘good’ spot and who is still driving around looking.” When Michael was accepted to Edinboro for the Fall 2010 semester, Marcy was motivated to finish what she started 15 years ago and finish her degree (before any of her children received their degrees first!). With senior status, it looks like she’ll win that race. continued on page 4
Marcy Busch with son Michael
Focus on Adult Student Scholarships Edinboro University has 570 permanently endowed scholarships and makes over 2,000 student awards annually. Many of these scholarships do not require a separate application. All students who complete the Edinboro University admissions application and meet the specific selection criteria are automatically considered as possible candidates. Among these scholarships are several specific to the adult learner. Below is a look at one such award. EDINBORO UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION (EUWA) SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship is provided to a student who has returned to school after a five-year or more absence (non-traditional). The recipient must be a full-time enrolled undergraduate student with 95 or more earned credits and whose QPA is 3.0 or greater. Priority is given to students who are the sole support of a minor child, disabled spouse or elderly parent(s).
Adult Student in the Spotlight Yvette Nelson What is your major? I began in the Humanities Program, taking a variety of interesting courses. I developed an interest in geography and wound up taking enough to turn them into a Bachelor of Arts in Geography. I think this shows that an open mind and a variety of experiences can lead us to other areas we might not have considered at the outset, whether traditional or non-traditional. What year did you begin at Edinboro and when will you graduate? I began in the Fall of 2008 and will graduate in May of 2011 What is the most difficult thing about being an adult student? Sometimes I feel like I've missed so much that it might be too late...like I won't have enough time left to make it "worth it." I was also very afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the new technology. Oh, and I need an afternoon nap!
Yvette Nelson with daughter and Edinboro alumna Nicole
What is the best thing about being an adult student? I think my favorite part is being able to lend an ear, and maybe a little of my experience, to some of the other students – the "kids" I now call friends. It's nice to be able to be there for them in some small way when their own parents can't be. In addition, my experiences and the general knowledge I've gained as a result of them makes my classes a bit easier. I have a deeper understanding and appreciation along with a different perspective. Why did you decide to go back to school to get your degree? Due to circumstances beyond my control, I found myself in the position that I would need to be able to support myself in the future. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years and then got into some business ventures that were not successful. I also felt like I was in a vacuum and craved intellectual and cultural stimulation. I had fallen into a pattern of substance abuse after the sudden and tragic death of my husband. I am now in recovery, which has given me the courage and ability to begin a life I never thought was possible. My daughter Nicole – then a student and Student Trustee on the Council of Trustees at the time I was considering returning to college – encouraged me. In fact she called and asked if I wanted to move to Edinboro from Coudersport and get an apartment together. I really thought she just wanted me to do her laundry and cook her dinner. I actually had the incredible experience and blessing of taking a class and being a member of the University Singers with her in my first semester. I have learned that every day comes with a do-over, and it is never too late to start again. What advice do you have for other adult students? Be open-minded, try new things, go with your gut, and get involved. When I started school I was asked what I was "going to do", and I responded by saying, "I don't know, I'll find out when I get there." I knew there were so many things that I didn't know I didn’t know! At the time I had an idea in mind and my current curriculum is something quite different than what I originally expected. I also get a lot out of my involvement in campus activities. The acceptance and many friendships I've developed with young people, as well as with faculty and staff, are invaluable.
Semester After Semester, We Sound Like a Broken Record The Adult Student Services Office broke another record in the Fall semester with CLEP testing! The number of exams taken in the Fall of 2010 increased by 26% for a total of 24 over the previous record held in Fall 2009. The number of credits earned also increased by 57% for a total of 85. In addition, the pass rate has improved from only 59% passing just two years ago to 75% of test-takers passing in 2010. While CLEP exams are administered by the Adult Student Services Office, the exams are not limited to adult students. In fact, 38% of test-takers in 2010 were “traditional-age” students. Edinboro University’s CLEP Testing Center is also not limited to only Edinboro students. 29% of test-takers in 2010 were from other colleges and universities. For more information about CLEP, go to www.edinboro.edu, keyword “clep.”
From Edinboro University’s archives: The first mention of services for adult students was referenced in the Edinboro State College 1974-75 Catalog (above).
A History Steeped in Non-Tradition Edinboro University’s focus on adult students spans nearly 40 years At a time when most colleges were solely
Nationally, approximately seven million
focused on the “just-out-of-high school”
adult students (age 25 and older) make up
crowd, Edinboro was thinking ahead. In the
the undergraduate enrollment in
Fall of 1974, Edinboro University (then
credit-granting institutions of higher
Edinboro State College) took its first step in
learning. That is equivalent to 40% of all
recognizing the needs of adult learners by
undergraduate enrollment.
establishing a Life Experience Center on campus. Operated by an outside entity, the Center evaluated the life experience of adult students and would make recommendations for the awarding of college credits.
1
The top six reasons that undergraduate adults pursue higher education include: personal enrichment (97%); increase in income (89%); to prove they can do it (76%); changing careers (75%); advance within
In the mid-80’s the University created an in-
current job (66%); and to be a role model
house office for adult students called
for family (62%).
Opportunity College whose focus expanded beyond life experience credits. Over the years the office went through many name changes including the Office of Adult Student Information Services (OASIS), the
2
Both nationally and at Edinboro, the top three areas of study for adult students are business, education and health-related fields.
Office for Non-Traditional Student Services,
As we begin 2011, Edinboro will continually
and The Office of Adult Student Services.
endeavor to make the campus a place
Yet, the mission - to empower prospective
where great things happen for the adult
and current adult learners to meet their
learner.
educational goals through programs and services that remove barriers to their success – remains the same. Because of Edinboro’s initiative and foresight in the matter of adult learning, it is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in Pennsylvania’s System of Higher Education in the area of adult enrollment.
1. Jacobs, F. and Hundley, S. (2010). Understanding and Supporting Adult Learners: A Guide for Colleges and Universities. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 2. Harms, B. (2008). Serving Adult Students: What Really Matters? Retrieved January 13, 2011 from http://www.stamats.com/knowledge/ whitepapers/pdfs/WhitePaper18.pdf.
A Snapshot of Edinboro’s Undergraduate Adult Students for the 2010-11 Academic Year Total number of adult students: 1,184 Percentage of adult students: 18% Average age of adult students: 34 years old The age of the oldest adult student: 80 years old Breakdown of males vs. females: 506 male students (43%) 678 female students (57%) Breakdown of associate vs. bachelor degree-seekers: 191 associate (16%) 972 bachelor (82%) (Remaining 2% of students are non-degree seeking students.) Breakdown of full vs. part-time students: 767 full-time students (65%) 417 part-time students (35%) Top Three Areas of Study (Four-Year Programs) Business; Education; Health Professions Top Three Areas of Study (Two-Year Programs) Security & Protective Services; Business; Public Administration & Social Services Where do our adult students come from (top five counties)? Erie; Crawford; Warren; Allegheny; Mercer
Elizabeth Ohmer with son Adam, daughter Ashley, and son Josh
Jessica Calvin with son Cody
A Family Affair (continued from page 1) A good role model – that’s what elementary and special education major Jessica Calvin wants to be to her son, communication studies major, Cody. “I feel that I have been a good role model to Cody when I have been doing homework and studying for exams, and that I’ve shown him that in order to get ahead in life, a good education is important.” Since Jessica is a junior, she’s been able to give Cody (a freshman) advice on scheduling and course selection. While elementary education/early childhood education major Elizabeth Ohmer claims it was her daughter, Ashley, who inspired her to begin taking college classes, Ashley and her six siblings may disagree. Their mom is an amazing person. Liz attends Edinboro with three of her seven children – Adam (undeclared-education), Ashley (early childhood/special education) and Josh (elementary/special education). Liz homeschooled her children for 12 years, and was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years. Liz says “When I turned 40, I decided to put my love for education into application. I
New Leaf will be published each fall and spring by the Office of Adult Student Services. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide information pertinent to Edinboro University’s adult student population. Our Mission: The mission of Edinboro University’s Office of Adult Student Services is to empower prospective and current adult learners to meet their educational goals through programs and services that remove barriers to their success.
New Leaf ISSUE 02 Spring 2011
enrolled the remaining five school-aged children into a local school and I began attending Edinboro full-time. I am set to graduate in May 2011 with a dual degree and higher honors.” Liz’s mantra: “Better late than never!”
Congratulations Fall 2010 Graduates! On Saturday, December 18, 2010, 127 adult students graduated from Edinboro University. Some of the most popular degrees awarded to adult students: Business: 21 Education: 20 Nursing: 18 Individualized Studies: 15 Criminal Justice: 14 Denise Azevedo Environmental Studies - Geography
Adult Student Services 405 Scotland Road 211 Pogue Student Center Edinboro, PA 16444 Phone: (814) 732-2701 Fax: (814) 732-2909 adultstudents@edinboro.edu http://adult.edinboro.edu