Adult Education Service

Well, another semester has come and gone with yet another group of adult learners moving on....some to other classes......some onto graduation and new adventures.....the rest hoping that their new knowledge and capabilities makes them move valuable to current or future employers.

Everyone one of them has a story but not many stop to think about the role that the "teacher" plays in these stories.

I firmly believe that throughout our lives we encounter friends and acquaintances; co-workers and colleagues; coaches and mentors; instructors and teachers.  Some of us aspired to actually become teachers, some of us ended up being instructors.  Many of us aspired to be something all-together different yet we ended up "teaching."

The difference to me is that many can be an instructor - you have a knowledge you can share with others and help them make that knowledge their own.  There are fewer people who can actually "teach" and by that I mean make a lasting impression on an individual and actually help them learn how to engage knowledge; how to tease it out of text books, and peers in their classes; people they work with; and yes, faculty members. 

With this passing semester I have had it brought to my attention by several of my students that I was the first faculty member they encounters several years ago when they started (or restarted) their academic adventures.  They said it was appropriate that I was also the last "teacher" they encountered on their journey at Granite State College.  

As I stopped to reflect on the number of people who have crossed my path as a faculty member, or even as a "corporate trainer" I started to wonder how many of these people I had actually been able to "reach."  Not just had them in my class, but left them with something tangible that will stay with them for their lifetime.  It isn't a degree, it isn't a class, it isn't a textbook.  It's a desire to not "unlearn" the lessons they have internalized and now see their own worlds as something different than it was last semester, last year or will be next semester or next year.

Adult education services and adult accelerated degree programs are sometimes viewed as simply about coming to evening or weekend intensive classes and getting through them while balancing life, family, work, and the occasional quiet moment for the harried student.  We forget simply that we (faculty and students alike) share a brief moment of discovery and either we mark that discovery or we eventually lose it.

I've had students come to me and thank me for helping them gain a new perspective about their careers.  They've given me a hard time about making their work environment a terrible place because that can't go back to accepting things as they are, things they know can and should be changed, and in some cases, things THEY can and should change to make their work environment more effective.  Some of my students have thanked me for helping me get them re-engaged in their work or careers; some have thanked me for helping them make the choice to pursue something different, something closer to their heart and soul.  Some have cursed me for long writing assignments that are akin to holding up a mirror and being asked to tell the truth about what you see.  Sometimes knowledge, or the responsibility that comes along with it, can be overwhelming.  It is our job, as faculty to work with you, the adult learner, to challenge your thinking...and it is your job as students, to challenge our thinking so together, when you graduate, you and the faculty you leave behind, can continue to make your make in the classroom as others follow in your footsteps.

I'd like to close this piece with two things: 

First, a thank-you to the students that have honored me with their presence in my classrooms over the past 6+ years.  You have taught me lessons that I will never forget and I will share them with others as long as there are new faces hungry for ideas walking through the doors at the college.

Second, for the students who have yet to walk into my classroom.  You have big shoes to fill, ones left behind by other students who one walked into their first class.  Bring every part of you to every class in which you enroll and I can guarantee that you will have the time of your life....learning lessons that will never leave you behind!

Many of you may have noticed that there are quite a few changes happening in the Financial Aid world right now. A new legislature was passed stating that all schools are now required to switch their lending program to Direct Lending(meaning the government will now be providing Stafford loans as opposed to private lenders). Are you wondering how this will effect you?

The good news is that for the most part it will be seamless for students. You will be required to sign a New Master Promissory Note (MPN) with Direct Lending, but other than that, things will remain the same in terms of how and when the aid is disbursed.

The real change will happen behind the scenes at the Adult Financial Aid office here at Granite State College. We have been working feverishly to make sure we are ready for the July 1st deadline imposed by the government.

What was the reason behind the switch you ask? The intention is to provide increased funding for federal grant programs such as the Pell Grant. Now, rather than private lenders collecting origination fees from students and using them towards their own services, the Department of Education will now take the fees charged for the Stafford loan programs and funnel it back into the Federal Grant programs.

Also, over time, the Department of Education is planning to lower the Stafford Loan Interest rates, making educational loans more affordable for students.

In order to make the process of signing the new Direct Lending MPN easier for our students, the Office of Financial Aid will be making visits to the Rochester NH College, the Claremont NH College, the Conway NH College and the Manchester New Hampshire College to assist students and answer any questions. To find out the specific times of our visits, please contact the regional centers. Also, as always, students are welcome to stop in and see us at the Concord New Hampshire College at any time.

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.