The Non-Traditional College Education in NH

My name is Jan Hodges and I began working for Granite State College as an Academic Advisor two years ago. GSC is a great fit for me because I believe in the power of the non-traditional path and know firsthand the joys and challenges of juggling work, family and school. I love working with students of all ages and helping them to find creative solutions to obtaining an adult education degree.  I advise students at the Conway, NH College.  

I have come to the world of academic advising by a circuitous route, taking the scenic path through three undergraduate colleges to obtain my B.A in my self-designed major, "Interdisciplinary Studies in Art, Literature and History." I have a lifetime of experience in adult and continuing education.

Before advising, my background was as an exhibiting artist and art gallery director. For eleven years I ran a university art gallery where I had one foot in the art world, the other in the academic. There I had the opportunity to mentor at-risk students.  I discovered a passion for working with students and helping them to identify and meet their academic and career goals. To support my new career, I returned to school and got my M.S. degree in Human Services and Counseling. 

Because I have lived the non-traditional path, I am a passionate advocate for my students.  Being student-centered and developing the advising relationship is important to me. It is a higher quality journey if we share it.

I live in the beautiful Lakes Region of NH with my two children and our many pets.

At all of our Granite State College campuses, we have recently implemented a new model for serving students on their path to degree completion.  We have formed Student Success Teams at each of our campuses.   I am very excited about this because it provides students with even more support than they have previously enjoyed. 

At the Conway NH college campus where I work, everyone is coming together to support our learners.  We have so many new options to make college learning easier!  We are offering a series of workshops, including writing and math labs, workshops on time management, organization....lots of different kinds of information to help students be more successful. These workshops are offered in a small group format, which allows us to support more students while fostering networking and relationship building.  

Another exciting direction we are moving in is offering Career Advancement Services.  We have always offered one-on-one career counseling, but we are expanding our programs and will soon have more to offer to students who need extensive career and life planning. 

We are very unique amongst colleges with online classes in that we offer so many different kinds of learning supports.  We have online 24/7 tutoring, "Smart Thinking" and online students who have access to one of our GSC Campuses, are also able to attend the live workshops. 

Another exciting tool we offer is a degree auditing system called CAPP.   Its available online, 24/7  and helps learners track their path toward an adult education diploma. CAPP shows students where transfer credits fit in, display grades and gpa information, and allows students to do a "What If" analysis that shows where their credits would fit in if they switch majors.

If you have a suggestion for workshops you would like to see to support your learning, please email me your suggestions at jan.hodges@granite.edu.  

Last week I was very excited to receive an email from a potential student who had read my blog.  

She was extremely frustrated from attempting to get into art school as an adult student.  Most of the art schools she contacted were very discouraging. They told her she needed a portfolio and letters of recommendation.  "I'm a mom!" She said. "I have been home raising my children. Why do I need a portfolio to show I know how to do something that I am looking to learn?"    "Don't they understand that if you aren't coming straight from high school, you might not have these things?  Who am I going to ask for a letter of recommendation? My kids? My neighbor?  "Isn't there an adult college program for people who want to get an art-related degree?" 

We made an appointment for a phone meeting.   When we spoke she told me that she was just about to give up on college when she did a Google search for "non traditional students" and found my blog.  She said that after she read it, she decided to speak with me to see if Granite State College could help her to achieve her goal. 

Happily, I know a thing or two about art schools, in addition to knowing Granite State College.   I suggested that she look into coming to GSC for an associate's degree.  She could pursue a General Studies degree, filling up her program with all of the art classes that we offer.  Although we do not offer enough art classes to create a major, we do offer entry level drawing, painting, sculpture, etc...

By pursing this path, she could start school without having to jump through the hoops that were frustrating her, and through taking our art classes she could begin to create a portfolio.  Because this type of studio class is always offered in a live format, she would have instructors that she could ask to write her a recommendation.  She would also be able to get her general education classes out of the way. At the end of the General Studies degree she would have 64 college credits to potentially transfer to the art school of her choice.  

When I pointed out to her that we were offering an Intro to Drawing class at the Currier Museum in Manchester this winter, She was extremely excited. When I finished explaining how easy it is to apply to Granite State College - she was sold.    Her plan is to become a student at the beautiful new Manchester Granite State College campus.

I love helping people to start on the path toward their dreams!

Have I mentioned that I am a big believer in life-long learning?  To that end, I have recently  embarked on a new adventure. I am currently teaching Intro to Drawing for the first time at the Conway, NH Granite State College campus.  Teaching a college evening class has always been on my "bucket list" and it has been a wonderful experience so far.    

Much to my surprise and delight, 15 students registered for my course.  As is typical at GSC, the class is a rich and diverse mix of ages, from 18 to 50.  I have been so impressed by the warm and supportive atmosphere that has developed in the class. I have always heard about the wonderful atmosphere in GSC courses, but it is exciting to experience it first hand.   

When you think of continuing education degree programs, you wouldn't necessarily picture a studio art class like this one, with students of all ages sprawled around the room with drawing boards, the furious sound of quick sketching, the smell of fixative and markers in the air.  Every Monday when I teach the class, I am struck by the wonderful diversity that Granite State offers, from online degrees to live college classes.  

At Granite State College, adult continuing education includes those of us who are staff and faculty, not only students. We strive to develop new skills, expand our knowledge base and engage in professional development. 

I'm excited by this experience because it gives me a new way to connect with my students, as well as allowing me to use a lifetime of accumulated knowledge in a new way.  Even though this course is still in progress, I can't wait to do it again!        

I recently had a meeting with a distraught student named Alison, who attends classes here at Granite State College in Conway, NH. She received her first C in a course and was feeling like a failure.  As we spoke she began to reveal that her child had been very ill, necessitating many trips to a specialist on the other side of the state,  her husband had lost his job and she had increased her hours at work in an attempt to make ends meet.  Under these challenging circumstances she still managed to keep doing her school work, and successfully complete the class.  It saddened me that she saw her C as a failure.

After this meeting and a number of similar ones, I have been thinking about the role perfectionism plays in achieving an adult education diploma. As a somewhat reformed perfectionist, I remember the fervor with which I pursued the holy grail of the perfect 4.0.   While this is clearly a laudable goal, life seems to delight in throwing unexpected curve balls at adult learners, making perfection nearly impossible.

When life turns up the heat, adding new responsibilities to the daily load -  a sick parent or child, an extra shift at work, etc. - students have a choice to make.  Some students are able to adjust their expectations of themselves, admit that they have less time and energy to devote to a particular course, and keep plugging away at it.  Others, in pursuit of the 4.0, would rather withdraw than risk a bad grade.

Let's think about this for a moment.  A C is a perfectly acceptable grade. It satisfies core requirements, as well as courses in the major.  Classes with a C or better are fully transferable.   The occasional C does not drastically harm your GPA, or scream to the world that you are a bad student.   Withdrawing, however,  can have many adverse ramifications.  Depending on when the course is dropped, you could lose registration fees, tuition, get a W on your transcript, or even worse - an AF if withdrawal is not done properly.  It can impact your financial aid.  Even if a courses is dropped by the deadline,  a semester's worth of progress is lost, making the path to completion longer.  

Sometimes it is better to be able to accept life on life's terms and learn to embrace the concept of "good enough." I am not advocating the pursuit of mediocrity here. I believe in giving your best and in giving 100%.  I am suggesting that we need to recognize that our "best" varies from semester to semester and sometimes giving your best means staying the course even though there are many obstacles to doing so.  In Alison's case, I would consider her C a victory. 


 

As an Academic Advisor at Granite State College in Conway, NH, one of my greatest joys is working with students, assisting them to open new doors in their lives.  It is so inspiring to see people of all ages design a better future through adult college education.

A few hours ago,  I met with a student who is about to turn 60 and has decided that she wants to get an associate's degree and become a Paraeducator.  She had heard that Granite State offered affordable adult college degrees and paraeducator certification.

"I love learning, and I miss being in school!" She stated as we began to talk.  She was alive with enthusiasm and her hopes for her future.  Her dream is to become a certified Paraeducator, and she feels that her ability to help children will not be hampered by being in her 60's. In fact, her life experience and years raising children will be a significant benefit in the classroom. Her oldest child is 35 and her youngest is 15, so she's had many years to hone her skills!  

It is never too late to be a life long learner. 
  

As an academic advisor, I love those times of the year when my students are signing up for courses. The pace picks up, the phone rings constantly and the office is alive with students.   I love the meetings with my advisees, hearing about their successes and challenges at Granite State College and helping them to plan the coming semester.  

During one registration period, I worked with a woman who had more than half of her bachelor's to complete. She had been happily taking two classes a term, but came to me one day with a dilemma.  A job had opened up in the school where she worked and the position had been offered to her - contingent upon her finishing her degree in a very short period of time.  In order to successfully meet her goal, she would have to take five or six classes a term for a year.  She had two small children at home and a husband who had recently lost his job.  They really needed for her to get the position. We discussed the incredible work load six courses a term would involve - but she was determined.  As an advisor, I had to listen very carefully and judge whether or not I thought she was likely to succeed and help her to brainstorm strategies to do so.

Since two courses is considered a full time load at GSC, four courses is the maximum you can take without approval from the registrar.  So....I listen carefully, believed her strategies would succeed, and wrote a request to the registrar.  Approval was granted.  

This woman successfully completed five or six courses per term for an entire year, taking both online and live college courses.  Not only did she complete them, she completed them all with a B or better.  She is now in her new position and grateful that GSC had the flexibility to work with her to provide the accelerated studies she needed.

Ahh.......I love my job! 

As the mom of a senior in high school, I am experiencing the college application process from a new perspective. Being on the other side of the equation makes you realize how fraught with anxiety the process can be.  Where to apply? How do you fill out THE FAFSA!!!?? What to major in??  So many different things to consider and deal with.  The process can seem so impersonal. 

Working with my son through this process has caused me to look at Granite State College in a whole new light. Although we are primarily known for our adult college degrees, here at the Conway, NH College,  we see many traditional age college students as well.  These students choose Granite State as their first choice for an affordable bachelor degree because of the ability to live at home, (save the room and board fees) and continue working while pursuing a degree.  GSC meets so many objectives in a difficult economic climate. 

I also hear enthusiastic comments about how easy the application process is.  Students can apply at any time, come into a local office, get face to face help with every aspect of the process.  A complete online application is also available for those who plan to pursue online classes for college.  Students who haven't taken their SAT's, are excited to discover they can get in without them.  There are so many ways our process is easier, and more flexible. 

Traditional age students often discover that GSC can be a great stepping stone.   Perhaps their grades in high school were not sufficient to get them into their institution of choice. A few successful semesters at GSC makes them a much better transfer candidate to the other colleges of New Hampshire.  There are so many ways that GSC provides flexible options.


 

Mary was discouraged when she first came to see me.  She had attended a large university for three semesters and had not been terribly successful.  She had gone to college straight from high school, following the "traditional" undergraduate college path. Her peers had encouraged her to go to a big school.  "It will be exciting!" She was told. "So many things to do on campus!"

Her first semester she could not understand why she was experiencing so much academic difficulty.  She had been a great student in high school, achieving good grades with relative ease.  She struggled through her first semester, enjoying the social life and many great activities the large university had to offer. She failed half of her classes.

After 3 semesters, she had only successfully completed half of her classes. She finally  realized that is was the size of the classes that did not work for her. She felt small and lost in the large lecture hall courses with 200 other people and dis-empowered to speak up.

Discouraged, Mary dropped out of school and came home to the North Country, feeling like an academic failure.

Then a friend told her about Granite State College.  "They have adult programs online!" she was told, "They have a Conway NH College!" Mary saw a local billboard featuring a smiling student and decided to call.  She was greeted by friendly office staff.  By the time she made it into my office she was beginning to feel more hopeful. 

As we talked I told her about Granite State College's small, personal classes.  She was excited that the small class size would allow her to get to know her instructor and fellow students.  I went on to describe GSC's evening college courses, weekend college courses and online adult degrees. When she found out that two courses is full time at GSC, her smile beamed.  "I was overwhelmed in four courses!" She exclaimed. "Juggling work and a four course load was impossible." 

I then assured her that I have an open door policy.  I want my students to come see me any time they are experiencing any kind of obstacle or if they just want to talk. "I never had anyone help me at my old school." She said. 

She left a very happy, soon to be new Granite State College student.