A Team Approach to Recruiting and Retaining Adult Learners

1. A Team Approach to Recruiting and Retaining Adult Learners Presented by Penn State Hazleton Sally McGuire, Director of Continuing Education Dwayne Hilton, Director of Student and Enrollment Services Ursula Grossi, Adult Learner Services Coordinator Jane Waitkus, Instructor and Coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Resource Center Shannon Richie, Reference

2. Introduction Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Dwayne Hilton Recruitment of Prospective Adult Learners Ursula Grossi Services for the Enrolled Adult Learner -Jane Waitkus and Shannon Richie Marketing to the Adult Learner Sally McGuire

3. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Campus Demographics Enrollment Numbers (2000 & 2007) Enrollment 1377, 1232 Minority Enrollment 130 (9%), 254 (20%) Non-PA Enrollment 174 (13%) 323 (27%) Adult Enrollment 101 (7%), 98 (8%)

4. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Baccalaureate Programs Available for Adult Learners Information Science and Technology Business Liberal Arts Organizational Leadership (OLEAD) Applied Psychology

5. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Associate Degrees Available for Adult Learners Physical Therapy Assistant Medical Lab Technology Letters, Arts & Sciences (2 LAS) Electrical Engineering Technology Mechanical Engineering Technology Nano Fabrication Technology Information Science and Technology

6. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Recent Recruitment Initiatives Include Adult Learners in all prospective student mailings Created Linkages so that the adult learners are included in all admissions functions Update Admissions website to promote adult learner “Information Sessions” Created an admissions communication Campaign to produce weekly adult learner reports Developed a referral mechanism so that the Adult Services Coordinator receives timely contact info 

7. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Recruitment Adult Learners (Prospects) Personal Contact Correspondence Maintaining a file (record) on Prospects Follow-up Update and Maintain Adult Learner campus website Conduct a New Student Orientation Program for Adults

8. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Retention Mentor Program Monthly Adult Learner Focused Programs Such as --Writing a Research Paper, How to Manage Stress, The Computer and You Adult Learner Newsletter Representation on Student Government

9. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Customized Academic Support for Adult Learners Teaching and Learning Resource Center Offer Tutorial Support Match adult learners with adult tutors Provide Study Rooms Host adult learner study groups Operate Writing Center Math anxiety DVD

10. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Research Paper Workshop Comfortable, friendly space to meet between classes Computers and printer for group projects

11. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner The Library and the Adult Learner Commission for Adult Learners Grant (1999-2000) – Upgrade career collection items specifically for adult learners Formation of Alpha Sigma Lambda (2003-2004) Partnered to receive a CALS grant to begin an ASL Chapter at Hazleton

12. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Partnered (2007) with the campus Teaching and Learning Resource Center to receive a CALS grant focusing on adult learners and research paper construction Serve as exam proctor for World Campus and Distance Education Students

13. Penn State Hazleton and the Adult Learner Marketing to the Adult Learner “It Shows” Adult Learner Advertising Campaign Newspaper, radio, TV, Webpage, Brochures, Billboards A satisfied customer