Meaningful Community Partnerships for Adult Learners

Institutions of higher education today see a population of adult learners growing throughout their academic communities. It is critical to pursue and establish partnerships with external entities that are equally committed to the success of these students. Meaningful partnerships create bridges that span the divide often experienced by these individuals because of the multitude of roles and responsibilities they fulfill in addition to that of being a student. Establishing these partnerships requires an intimate understanding of adult student needs, knowledge of local and national resources, and a willingness to identify common goals and mutually beneficial results.