In December 2024, Ithaka S+R, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, launched the Adult Learner Re-Engagement Community of Practice. Already, institutions across Pennsylvania are demonstrating their commitment to developing innovative solutions for re-enrolling adult learners.

A total of 93 representatives from 51 institutions, including public and private colleges, occupational training providers, community colleges, and universities, have joined this year-long engagement. The group encompasses a wide variety of offices and roles, from academic affairs and admissions to adult learner services, advising, enrollment, financial aid, and bursar offices. Senior leaders are also involved, including provosts, vice presidents, executive directors, deans, and directors.

The main goal of the initiative is to connect diverse postsecondary institutions across the state through community, expertise, and resources to address the needs of students with some college experience but no credential. Participants will share promising practices, address common challenges, and develop actionable strategies to support adult learner re-enrollment.

Throughout four interactive virtual meetings, participants are exploring key topics critical to adult learner success, including:

  • Eliminating administrative barriers for re-enrollment
  • Engaging adult learners with some college and no credential
  • Addressing financial obstacles to re-enrollment
  • Supporting students from enrollment to completion

Each participating institution is implementing a high-impact solution designed to address a specific re-enrollment barrier for adult learners. These solutions encompass a variety of approaches, each tailored to the unique needs and challenges of the institution. Examples of participants’ goals include surveying the potential roadblocks that prevent adult learner re-enrollment and creating a re-engagement plan according to their needs. Participants are making progress towards these goals, including many who are developing comprehensive strategies that address various barriers and involve collaboration across departments.

This initiative builds on Ithaka S+R’s ongoing work in adult learner re-engagement, which includes the Ohio College Comeback Compact as well as technical assistance collaborations with the Kentucky Council of Postsecondary Education, the University of North Carolina system office, and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The project is made possible through the generous support of Lumina Foundation and The Kresge Foundation.

If your institution or state is interested in partnering with Ithaka S+R to address barriers to adult learner re-engagement, through program implementation, technical assistance, or other solutions, please reach out to Liz Looker, senior program manager, elizabeth.looker@ithaka.org.