Adult Learner Success Series: Meeting the Programming Needs of Adult Learners
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Transcript of Adult Learner Success Series: Meeting the Programming Needs of Adult Learners
Jessica L. Kirkwood, Coordinator of Career & Internship Services
Debra Mynar, Adult Learner
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley Approximately 850 students enrolled
Five Bachelor degree programs
Three Associate degree programs
Two minors
Adult Learner population of approx. 22%
Adult Development Theories Erickson : 3/8 stages of psychosocial
development focus on adulthood
Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, Integrity vs. Despair
Schlossberg: transitions & adult development
Belenky, Clichy, Goldberger, & Tarule (1986): women finding a “voice”
Reeves, P.M. (1999)
Programming Topics & Adult Development Theories Financial Planning
Generativity vs. Stagnation, Integrity vs. Despair
Technology
Schlossberg
Networking/Mentoring
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Empowerment of Women
Belenky, Clichy, Goldberger, & Tarule (1986)
Goals of ALSS Increase recruitment, retention, and satisfaction of
adult learners at Penn State Lehigh Valley
Connect adult learners to the campus community through the development of relationships with each other
Help adult learners develop their own “identity” and support system on campus
Provide programs of interest that will increase learning (knowledge) & participation of adult learners in out-of-class (co-curricular) activities
Adult Learner Advisory Council
Developed to provide feedback and suggestions for the ALSS program
Requirements: Attend two meetings each semester
Attend one ALSS event each semester
ALAC Membership 16 adult learners
5 faculty
4 staff members
Collaborations & Support
University Relations
Digital Commons
Alumni Relations
Penn State Alumni Career Services
Student Affairs
Faculty/staff
Area professionals/community members
Marketing, Advertising, Promotion Invitations sent via postal mail to all PSLV adult learners
(Fall 160, Spring 142) Invitations emailed to all PSLV adult learners Active participation of adult learners in programs
(presenters) 14” X 8.5” colored posters PSLV Newswire PSLV News & Events on homepage PSLV online campus calendar Career Services website (Events page) Table tents PSU LV Adult Learner group on Facebook Student Affairs emails to students regarding
campus events Emails to faculty & staff to promote events Word of mouth Promotion by Adult Learner Advisory Council
Adult Learner Success Series:Nittany Networking Event
Allentown BrewWorks, Hamilton Room
February 26, 2009
Financial Planning for the FutureFocusing on money management in the current economic climate, as adult
learners face multiple challenges such as supporting a family, funding their
education, debt, job loss and retirement
ATTENDANCE: 50 adult learners, faculty, staff, evening business class
Investing, Budgeting & Decreasing Debt
Kevin Brosious, CFP, CPA, PFS
Founder & President of Wealth Management, Inc., a financial planning and registered investment advisory firm
Adjunct professor at both Penn State Lehigh Valley and DeSales Universities teaching personal finance, investments and other business courses
Saving Strategies & Finding the “Right” Financial Planner
Ray Hitti
Marketing Manager for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
10 years with John Hancock Mutual Life
Adjunct business professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley
Empowering Adult Learnersthrough Technology
Combining technology and networking to increase community identity among adult learners by providing alternative methods of connecting.
ATTENDANCE:
16 adult learners, faculty and staff
Empowering Adult Learnersthrough Technology
PSU-LV Adult Learners on Facebook Tricia Clark –
Instructional Designer
Eileen Grodziak –Digital Commons
Jessica Kirkwood –Coordinator, Career Services
Debra Mynar – a student’s perspective
Empowering Adult Learnersthrough Technology
LionLink
Professional networking program for PSU students and alumni offered through Alumni Career Services
Connects and establishes relationships with alumni for career information, advice and more connections
Networking etiquette
Empowering Adult Learnersthrough Technology
Nittany Lion Recruiting
PSU on-line internship and job posting system
Create a profile
Post a resume
Search for internships
Search for part-time and full-time employment opportunities
Empowering Adult Learnersthrough Technology
Blogging
Kate Morgan - Director, University Relations
Sharin Crivellaro – a student’s perspective The blogs at Penn State
Alex Burdine – a student’s perspective Blogging for $
Nittany Networking EventWE ARE PENN STATE!
Bringing adult learners and alumni together to build a bridge for mentoring and networking
ATTENDANCE:
68 adult learners, faculty, staff, alumni and guests
Nittany Networking Event A joint effort of:
PSU-LV Career Services
PSU-LV Alumni Society
PSU Alumni Career Services
Tips on effective networking
Jennifer Wetzel & Misty Pavlic,
PSU Alumni Career Services
Nittany Networking Event
William Baker – Owner, Dunderbak’s Cafe
Director of National Restaurant Association
Women & Work
Developing an understanding of women as leaders and learning about opportunities for women in local organizations
ATTENDANCE:
14 adult learners, faculty, staff
and organization representatives
Adult Learner Success Series:Women & Work
Penn State Lehigh ValleyMay 7, 2009
Women & Work
Dr. David Livert Asst. Professor of Psychology
Lorraine McClure – a student’s perspective Asst. to Director of Student Affairs
May B.S. Business graduate
Women’s Organizations Business & Professional Women’s Club of the Lehigh
Valley To achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy,
education, and information
League of Women Voters A nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and
active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy
CareerLink Connects communities, organizations and individuals to new ideas,
technologies, talent, jobs, and opportunities
ALSS Program Survey Likert 4 point scale = 5 questions
Assessed knowledge, interaction, connectedness, and likelihood of future participation
One open-ended question
One multiple choice question
30 surveys completed
ALSS Survey RESULTSProgram Know Interact Connect Know
CheckParticip Program
Avg
Financial Planning
3.73 3.25 3.25 3.58 3.75 3.51
Technology 3.38 3.00 3.13 3.25 3.38 3.23
Nittany Network
4.00 4.00 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.70
Women &Work
3.63 2.86 3.25 3.63 3.50 3.37
OVERALL 3.62 3.14 3.23 3.5 3.57 3.41/4.0
ALSS Survey RESULTS What programs/services/events will increase
satisfaction levels? (multiple choice)
Adult learner organization (23)
Professional development (17)
Lecture series (16)
Family-friendly activities (7)
Other (1 – mentoring)
ALSS Survey RESULTS How can PSLV enhance the co-curricular experience &
increase investment in campus community?
“These workshops and discussions are a great beginning.”
“By continuing to build relationships on the level of an adult learner and offer them more programs which will be helpful to them in their everyday lives.”
“I’ve enjoyed hearing the personal stories that have been shared through these sessions. Thank you.”
Specific topic suggestions: more detailed & active Facebook group, time management, Second Life, direct mentoring
Group Discussion What programs or activities are most likely to attract a
large percentage of such a diverse population of adult learners?
Suggested Improvements Actively utilizing adult learners and/or Adult Learner
Advisory Council to plan & implement programs
Participation in SGA
Development of Adult Learner Organization
Collaboration with departments
Student Development Team (Student Affairs)
Alumni Relations
Faculty buy-in
Reeves, P. M. (1999). Psychological Development. In M. C. Clark & R. S. Caffarella (Eds.), New directions for adult and continuing education: Number 84. An update on adult development theory: New ways of thinking about the life course (pp. 19-27). San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass Publishers.