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.