Adult Learner re-engagement efforts: why they matter and ongoing work
Posted by Ithaka S+R on October 21, 2025
Adult learners are frequently overlooked, but are an increasingly important student population. According to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, there are 37.6 million adult learners under 65 with some college credit, but no credential in the US and this number is increasing. In response to this challenge, Ithaka S+R is working across the United States to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of pathways for returning adult learners, with ongoing collaborations in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Ohio. These initiatives, which vary by state, include efforts to understand the impact of unpaid balances and administrative holds, survey existing supports for adult learners and provide recommendations, facilitate communities of practice that support participants to set ambitious goals, and share promising practices that will support adult learner re-engagement.
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