STRIKING A BALANCE: HELPING ADULT LEARNERS FORGE A NEW PATH

From Hearst Story Studio

WHEN YOU THINK OF a typical college student, you likely imagine an 18-year-old with a backpack, fresh out of high school and living on campus. But in recent years, a remarkable shift in the demographics of college students paints a different picture—and today’s typical college student might surprise you.

The U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics says the number of adult learners seeking professional certificates and degrees has dramatically increased over the past decade. More than one-third of all college students in the United States are over 25 years old, a growing percentage that shows no signs of slowing down.

The reason so many adults are going back to school is clear. A competitive job market is leading adults to pursue postsecondary education and learn the necessary skills to compete in the new economy. By upskilling or reskilling at college, adults are adapting to the demands of an evolving workforce. But enrolling in college can present challenges for adults, who may already be managing jobs and families. And despite the demographic shift of the typical student, some colleges have been slow to adjust to the needs of the adult learner.

Balancing professional aspirations with personal lives is the key to success for adult learners, who require flexible, affordable, and efficient programs to succeed.

At Central Florida’s Seminole State College, adult learners have an accessible advantage thanks to the school’s commitment to assisting non-traditional students. From flexible online classes and student resources to fast-track certification programs and degrees, Seminole State’s culture of equity and student support is enabling adults to create the lives they desire.

Seminole State supports the growing ranks of careerminded adult learners in several ways. First, the Center for Adult and Workforce Education provides thorough and efficient coursework that leads to quick employment in competitive industries. Through the center’s programs, short-term career training and technical training are paired with a pathway to a high school equivalency, a perfect opportunity for students like Fladumi Dade. Originally from Haiti, Dade knew that to expand his career options, he needed to improve his English and obtain a GED. After completing the ESOL program, and thanks to financial support offered by the College’s Workforce Jumpstart program, Dade enrolled in the GED Prep and HVAC certificate programs at the same time.

For students at Seminole State, a certificate in a highdemand field offers more than just career prospects. Certificate credentials, are transferable to degree programs so that graduating students can continue

Faculty Spotlight

Virginia Perwin

to expand their skill set and qualifications. “Seminole State creates a future for students that gives them an opportunity to grow, and that future is what’s most important,” Dade said.

The ability to adjust on the fly is another important element of adult learning. Non-traditional students often endure challenges that traditional students do not—that’s why the standard “one-size-fits-all” approach of many colleges does not suit adult learners. By offering certificate and degree programs that accommodate the needs of adults with jobs and families, Seminole State College is setting the tone for colleges and universities nationwide. Offering a flexible class schedule allows adult learners to maintain their normal work routines while completing their degrees in person or online. With resources including free transportation and tutoring, academic and career counseling, robust financial aid and scholarships, and childcare services, Seminole State is clearing a path for non-traditional students to join the academic community or learn a trade.

Seminole State instructor Virginia Perwin is a living example of former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson's "You're never too old to start learning, and you're never too young to aim high and achieve great things," quote.

Perwin has been an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructor at Seminole State for 12 years and graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Summer 2022 with her Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program at age 85.

A strong believer in lifelong learning, Perwin said, “I believe everyone should continue learning. Life is the condition of continual change. There are so many things to learn around us. We need to embrace education and learning throughout our lives.”

A love for learning runs in the family. She encourages her husband to continue French classes and may accompany him on his journey to mastery of the French language.