NDUS, Higher Ed Board look to recruit more adult learners

By Delaney Otto Today at 7:05 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? BISMARCK, N.D. — Adults with some college credit but no credentials could be essential in filling workforce needs in North Dakota, said a member of the North Dakota University System. NDUS and the State Board of Higher Education are putting effort into attracting adult learners back to the state’s institutions to get their degrees. ADVERTISEMENT “As we look at an enrollment cliff coming and the traditional 18-year-old population diminishes somewhat, this returning adult population is one that should not be neglected,” said Lisa Johnson, deputy commissioner for academic and student affairs, in an interview with the Herald. According to the Lumina Foundation, which focuses on making post-secondary education opportunities more available, an estimated 65 million people nationally have some college credit and no credential. In North Dakota, the number is about 106,000. NDUS is also pursuing adult — age 25 to 64 — learners for workforce needs. North Dakota has about 21,000 open jobs, with about one unemployed person in the state for every two positions. “If we forced every high school graduate to work, we would still have workforce shortages,” she said. “It’s so important that we look at every conceivable population and subtype to meet workforce needs. This, returning adults, is a critical component for us.” The returning adult learners population is being “baked into” the State Board’s next strategic plan. Johnson said the board has three goals — to attract more North Dakota students, attract and retain out-of-state students and attract more North Dakota adults with some college credit and no credentials. The board has also put in a request to the Legislature for $2 million to be put in its budget to attract the adult learner population. The funds help with additional outreach and communication. While the state’s institutions do well in trying to recruit back students who have dropped out, assistance is needed with adults who may no longer be living in the community where they went to school or don’t have interest in continuing to pursue the credential they had been pursuing. “More often than not, at least the studies seem to indicate that students don’t return to the campus they last left," Johnson said. "That was identified as a gap in the services we were able to provide.” ADVERTISEMENT Two important factors people have cited in terms of returning to school are finances and time. Johnson said eight out of 10 prospective adult learners say cost is a barrier to their return, and about two thirds cite time constraints. NDUS has been attentive to things like policies and processes that may present difficulty for returning adults, as well as opportunities to help, such as implementing more flexible schedules. A large number of returning adults are interested in what Johnson calls “in-demand occupations,” and she sees more institutions creating certificates or other shorter term credentials in areas of interest to returning adults. Most in-demand occupations also have scholarships or loan repayment programs attached to them, she said. The $2 million requested by the State Board includes financial support and looking for a vendor to provide advising for the returning adults at no extra charge through the completion of their first credential. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags HIGHER EDUCATION By Delaney Otto Otto is the University of North Dakota reporter for the Grand Forks Herald. Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next North Dakota Poll: North Dakotans want state data center regulations 1h ago · By Michael Standaert North Dakota ND Development Fund pauses new financing to address audit; Commerce head takes back board seat 15h ago · By Nathan Price / The Bismarck Tribune North Dakota Audit raises concerns at North Dakota Veterans Home, including choking death caused by improper meal 19h ago · By Sav Kelly ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Local Grand Forks woman honored with city's Griggs Award 45m ago · By Pamela Knudson Subscribers Only UND Hockey Preview: UND set to play in Anderson Arena for the first time 1h ago · By Brad Elliott Schlossman Community Today in History: Nov. 13, 1923 - Theodore Roosevelt's sister coming to Minot, North Dakota 7h ago · By Staff reports Prep Thursday's local scoreboard for Nov. 12 9h ago · By Tom Miller