2009 Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Conference

Breakout Sessions

Panel of Experts/Best Practices 8:45–9:30 a.m.
Moderated by Sharon Christ, chair, Commission for Adult Learners

A panel of current adult learners from various campus locations will discuss their experiences as adult learners and best practices for adult students that they have encountered.

Breakout Session I 10:00–10:45 a.m.

Adult Learner Success Series: Meeting the Programming Needs of Adult Learners
Ms. Jessica Kirkwood, coordinator of career and internship services, Penn State Lehigh Valley

The Adult Learner Success Series (ALSS) occurred during the 2008–2009 academic year at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Several career-related programs were hosted on the topics of financial planning, technology, networking, and women in the workplace. The ALSS program can be used as a model for adult learner programs at other campuses.

Advising Students about CLEP: Helping Them Succeed
Ms. Betsy Esposito, advising services coordinator, Penn State University Park
Corey Vigdor, adult/online outreach manager, CLEP, The College Board

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows individuals to earn college credit by passing one of the program's thirty-four exams. CLEP validates knowledge earned through independent study, on-the-job training, experiential learning, and translates into college credit. This workshop will discuss basic facts about CLEP, the value of CLEP for colleges and adult learners, using CLEP as an advising tool, and the resources available to you. CLEP Test Centers at University Park, DuBois, New Kensington, and Greater Allegheny will be featured.

Financial Aid Basics for Undergraduate Adults
Ms. Lisa Diehl, educational counselor, Penn State Greater Allegheny

This session will discuss the financial aid process and funding opportunities for independent and adult undergraduate students. Topics include FAFSA, grants, scholarships, adult loans, and ideas of where to look for alternative funding.

It Takes a Village: An Integrative Approach to Supporting Adult Learners
Ms. Jackie Atkins, senior instructor and director, Center for Undergraduate Excellence
Ms. Maureen Horan, assistant director of academic affairs and instructor in kinesiology
Ms. Diane Lucas, coordinator, Administrative Support Systems, adjunct instructor in IST and business
Ms. Rebecca Pennington, associate director for student affairs, Penn State DuBois/University College

The panel will address collaborations among faculty and staff in Student Affairs, IT, the Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE), and the First-Year Experience which provide learning opportunities outside the classroom. The panel will discuss Adult Learner Orientation, CUE workshops, FYE, and Adult Learners Week.

Recruitment and Retention of Low-Income First Generation Students: What Administrators, Faculty, and Staff Need to Know!
Dr. JeanMarie St. Clair-Christman, assistant professor of human development and family studies, Penn State York

Because of the decline in retention and graduation rates, many institutions are becoming increasingly interested in the needs of "at risk" populations in an effort to retain them at higher rates. This workshop will present information that will help faculty, administrators, and university staff better understand the changing needs of this diverse group. Research and practical solutions will be discussed for helping this student base survive and thrive in higher education.

Serving Those Who Serve: Providing Military-Friendly Counseling
Mr. John Mills, military outreach advisor, World Campus

Learn how to better assist your military students with their questions on the application process, transfer of military credit, using tuition assistance and GI Bill benefits, deployment issues, and obtaining a SOC agreement. This session will provide you with valuable information to better serve your students in uniform.

Breakout Session II 11:00–11:45 a.m.

Adult Learners: Challenges and Changes
Martha Jordan, director, Adult Learner Advocacy and Enrollment Services

Join Martha Jordan of Adult Learner Advocacy and Enrollment Services, who will moderate a panel of adult learners from various campus locations. This session will provide an opportunity for continued discussion with adult learners regarding their experiences as students at Penn State.

Building on Barack: Diversity and Recruitment under the Obama Inspiration
Ms. Tahirah Abdullah, director, Educational Opportunity Centers of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Penn State

This presentation will explore the implications of Mr. Obama's campaign and forthcoming policies on recruitment and diversity of adult students. Specific topics will include goal trends among African American men, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, federal support programs including TRIO and GEAR-UP, and workforce development priorities. Each section will be examined based on quantifiable data as well as documented policies and campaign issues. The objective is to shed light on future academic programming needs and recruitment prospects and share ideas on how to ensure adult students benefit from the momentum of the current socio-political climate.

Extending Extension's Boundaries
Ms. Joann Kowalski, economic and community development educator, CAS-Susquehanna County
Dr. Charlie Abdalla, professor of environmental economics, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State
Mr. Mark Douglass, extension educator, Farm Financial Management, Jefferson County Extension
Mr. John Turak, extension educator, Economic and Community Development, Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension

A team of educators and faculty, across disciplines and across the state, realized the need for a quick distribution of information affecting the population of the Northeast and responded by developing a series of online seminars with experts delivered via Adobe Connect. The team will present the process of developing webinars for similar endeavors.

March2Success: A Free, Online Academic Skills Enhancement Program for Adult Learners
Mr. Mark Mazarella, education services specialist, United States Army
Ginny Newman, assistant director, Military Education, Penn State Outreach

This session will demonstrate how "March2Success," a free, online resource is an excellent tool to help adult students improve math, science, and English skills, and prepare for their return to college.

What Makes a Quality Course: The Student Perspective
Ms. Penny Ralston-Berg, instructional designer, Penn State World Campus

Quality is an important aspect of online course delivery. There are many rubrics, guidelines, and studies noting benchmarks of quality for online course delivery. Do online students agree with these benchmarks? The presenter will discuss student values of quality for online courses.

Breakout Session III noon–12:45 p.m.

Alternative Course Delivery Methods and Effects on Learning Outcomes: A Presentation by Adult Learners
Dr. Jennifer Talwar. associate professor of sociology and OLEAD program coordinator
Mr. Anthony Amato, adult student, OLEAD major, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Mr. Peter Biedenkopf, adult student, OLEAD major, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Mr. Eli Cekovic, adult student, OLEAD major, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Mr. Sam North, adult student, OLEAD major, Penn State Lehigh Valley

Participant observation in three demographically diverse schools during a week-long intensive course (SOC 404) provided the basis for examining course curricula related to small group interactive processes, structures of power and influence, and how contexts affect and alter processes of social reproduction. In presenting this research, adult students will discuss how alternative course delivery methods can work to both accommodate adult learners demanding schedules while also enhancing learning outcomes.

Blended Learning Opportunities
Ms. Annette Fetterolf, program manager, Statewide Continuing Education, Penn State University Park

Many faculty members are using technology to deliver courses in ways that allow busy working adults more opportunities to fit education into their busy lifestyles. In this session, we'll discuss what blended learning is, explore some alternative credit course delivery methods, and consider ways to leverage technology and our multi-campus system to attract new adult learners to Penn State degree programs.

CAS Standards and Guidelines for Adult Student Programs and Services
Dr. Eric White, executive director, Division of Undergraduate Studies, Penn State University Park

Recently, the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) approved Standards and Guidelines for Adult Student Programs and Services. This presentation will highlight the most significant portions of the Standards and suggest approaches for how to use the Standards.

Perspectives of Faculty Who Were Adult Learners
Dr. Mary Bonawitz, assistant professor of business administration, Penn State Schuylkill
Dr. Roger Egolf, associate professor of chemistry, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Dr. Pam Preston, associate professor of administration of justice, Penn State Schuylkill
Mr. Damien Zsiros, instructor of nursing, Penn State Fayette
Dr. Christine Masters, assistant professor and undergraduate program coordinator for engineering science and mechanics, Penn State University Park

This session, sponsored by the Faculty Engagement Committee of the Commission for Adult Learners, will feature a panel of four full-time Penn State faculty who were non-traditional-age undergraduates themselves. The panel members wish to share their experiences and help participants in this break-out session understand the unique characteristics and needs of adult learners.

Retooling and Refueling: Sharing Lifewide Learning through e-Portfolios
Mr. Glenn Johnson, project manager, Penn State's e-Portfolio Initiative, Penn State University Park

Web-based, e-portfolios/blogs have become a very popular and powerful way to describe and demonstrate an individual's knowledge, experience, and/or values. This discussion-based session will review the services available at http://portfolio.psu.edu and http://blogs.psu.edu and demonstrate how adult learners can benefit from taking advantage of the Web to share and reflect upon professional and personal accomplishments.

The Changing Face of the Adult Learner
Dr. Matthew Callahan, post doctoral scholar, Penn State University Park

The characteristics of today's student are changing. They are described as technologically savvy, adept at information gathering, and proficient at multi-tasking. In this session, we will present information about the characteristics of today's learners and discuss practices to reach them most effectively.

Using Second Life to Create a Virtual Campus Experience
Ms. Shannon Ritter, social networks advisor, World Campus

Learn how Penn State World Campus is using Second Life to give online and distance education students a virtual campus experience to build community and connections among students, faculty, and staff. The session will provide a brief overview of Second Life and include a tour of the Penn State World Campus space inside the virtual world.