Page 9 - UWI QUALITY CIRCLE Vol.19 May 2017

Student Success and the Non-traditional Student:
Special Considerations
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BY MRS. KELLY-ANNE ROBERTS-KASMALLY VICE-PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT THE WEST INDIES SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY MARACUS CAMPUS, TRINIDAD
The issue of student success needs special attention particularly in the context of the non-traditional student (NTS). Student success invokes even more discussion when the NTS is situated in a context which requires
collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking skills in the online learning environment.
In the 21st century, ‘the new demographics of colleges and universities identify the non-traditional working adults over 26 comprising over 50% of the American post-secondary student population’ (Ausburn, 2004, pp. 327-336). Kirk and Dorfman (1983) says that the NTS has significantly more time constraints, role conflict, financial constraints, may face depression and ‘are at a higher risk of dropping out’ (Gilardi & Guglielmetti, 2011). According to Caschera (2015), the challenges experienced by the ‘adult learners can be classified as those related to the balancing act’, ‘accessibility, cost, as well as physical exhaustion’(Kasworm, 2003).
The NTS therefore faces multiple issues which can impact on his or her academic performance and his or her ability to successfully complete the course of study. Kyung-Nyun and Baker (2015) add that while trends have been to expand educational opportunties for adult learners, these cohorts are likely to be limited in the number of hours available towards educational pursuits due to pre-established life schedules, with less than 60% earning their degree within 6 years (p. 511).
Given the complex roles and responsibilities assumed by the average adult learner, studying requires not only considerable sacrifices, but also persistence and carefully crafted policy support. The stress and physical exhaustion associated with studying can also sway the adult learners away from pursuing their educational pursuits (Kasworm, 2003).
The NTS faces a number of obstacles related to balancing family, work and study commitments. As such, the challenge facing academic institutions relates to how best to provide support for their NTS population ensuring that students perform in accordance with the academic expectation of the institution and graduate within the alloted time while managing a host of other responsibilities. Crafting specifically designed student support services for the adult learner provides an important safety net through which academic success is obtained. It stands to reason then that academic institutions have 3 important questions to answer:
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