Adult Education Service

I continue to be amazed by the individuals that teach here at Granite State College.  I'm pleased that this blog has provided an opportunity to trumpet news about so many of the unique people that contribute to learning at this wonderful New Hampshire State College. 

Just the other day, Dr. William "Bill" Cuff popped by my office.  To say Bill is interesting would be a true understatement.  In addition to teaching behavioral science classes here at Granite State College, Bill teaches at UNH, and is also heavily involved with service projects, through groups like Danny's Team.  

Bill was chatting with me about his upcoming class this Spring at our Portsmouth NH College - PSY 602, Theories of Personality.  The structure of this class exemplifies the Granite State perspective on adult college education: it is a weekend-intensive that takes place over five Saturdays.  Yes, Granite State offers affordable Bachelor degree programs, but weekend college classes also work for students with other obligations.  

Bill is off to New Orleans and Mississipi next week for more service.  As part of this trip he mentioned an opportunity to visit the hometown of Medgar Evers.  His eyes were lit-up and intense, and I thought - right, so this is quite a person to have teaching here in our corner of the New Hampshire University System.       

I was fortunate enough to receive one of the ten $1,000 Alumni Learner Association (“ALA”) scholarships from Granite State College last spring.  When asked this year to volunteer for the annual Alumni scholarship phone-a-thon I jumped at the opportunity.  This is how I spent my Sunday afternoon/evening this week.  Our calling lists consisted of former adult education diploma recipients, alumni of Granite State College.  For those of you unfamiliar with our location we, in the State of New Hampshire, are currently under a State of Emergency due to the widespread damage sustained from a storm last Thursday.  Many residents are still without power.  I assume this is the reason why I received the same message over and over again during my call attempts, “the number you have dialed is not in service.”

Undeterred by the numerous phone service problems I ploughed through my list determined to reach as many alumni as I was able.  I reached countless people on their cell phones huddled around the woodstove with their family members trying to stay safe and warm while they awaited the coming of their fourth night without power.  All were grateful for their safety and happy to speak with me.  Some had trees sitting on top of their roofs, campers, garages and driveways.  Even in such immediate bleak circumstances most were happy to donate what they could.  That may have been only $5.00 or $10.00 but they gladly pledged to their alma mater, to help those who are now in the position they found themselves in not long ago, that of an student pursuing their adult college degree.

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to reach out and speak to so many of the students who came before me, who struggled, fought and ultimately earned their long awaited degrees by enrolling in Granite State College’s adult college program.  I was amazed by the generosity, appreciation and tenacity of our alumni.  I have a lot to live up to when I become an official alumnus this June.  I look forward to joining this group and plan on carrying my weight in this regard.

Consider how many people return to college each semester.  They are using Adult Education Services, accelerated studies, evening college classes, adult online classes, enrolling in continuing education degree programs and career training education programs.  Some take classes from their home or office, some still walk into the classroom with other students and an instructor. 

Now, think about all the reasons they are doing this.  Some are there to finish something they started before work, family, life took them down other paths.  Some are there to start their educational journey now that some other responsibilities have changed or gone away and they have the time.  Some are there for the enjoyment of contuning to be a life-long learner.  The vast majority however, are there to gain new knowledge in their efforts to become more valuable in their current positions, prepare for a promotion or in some cases, a complete career change.  Either way the expectation is that whatever you learn will be something that you will be, and should be, able to apply in your daily set of personal and professional circumstances.

One of the key differences in educational experiences between students who enter college right out of high school and the adult learner seeking education and career advancement hinges on two elements:

1. Experience - the student coming directly out of high school really is limited
                             in the level of experiences they bring to the classroom.  Most of
                             their learning has to be more directed and often includes the use
                             of case studies.  Case studies allow all students to share a common
                             set of experiences, usually with a known outcome, where the
                             proverbial "what ifs" can be explored through a guided lecture or
                             or assignment.  In the case of the adult learner, often coming to the
                             the class with years of work/life experience, they ARE their own
                             case studies.  They bring a unique set of circumstances, good and
                             bad, successful and not so successful, to the classroom.  They can
                             and should use these experiences as a tool in their educational
                             journey.
2. Focus - while the typical college student just entering college from high school
                      may have desires and aspirations that they firmly believe their pursuit of
                      an education will help them achieve, the adult learner, returning for
                      their education and career advancement desires tend to be very focused
                      and will willingly share their experiences with one another as part of their
                      overall classroom experiences.  They are very focused on what they are
                      learning and how they can apply that knowledge immediately, not at
                      some time in the future.  There is a sense of immediacy.

Keep in mind that every student, regardless of age or reason for being in class, has their own set of expectations.  Some take courses that are required simply because they are required, others zoom in on what are the lessons that will help them achieve very specific career goals.  In either case, the student and teach form a relationship that should result in the student knowing exactly how the lessons learned in that particular class can be used in their current situation.

When you participate in adult continuing education programs, for whatever reasons, remember that you have an obligation to apply your learning each and every day.  The best way to keep your knowledge current and viable is to use it.  

Remember to flex your knowledge muscles each and every day.....they are yours to apply and hone so the next set of learnings have a strong foundation to build upon.