Many stopped-out adult learners owe a small balance to their former institutions. To get them to return, they often need to be reminded how beneficial a college degree can be for their entire family, says Ruth Bauer, president of Inside Track, a student success coaching nonprofit, on this episode of “The University Business Podcast.”
“It’s hard to always stay connected to that long-term goal when you’re managing a full-time job or taking care of kids. Coaches can remind you that opportunity is out there when times get tough.”
There are nearly 40 million Americans today who stopped out of higher education before earning their credential. With adults showing an increasing interest in re-enrolling, Bauer believes it’s a “win-win” for colleges and learners to invest in winning them back.
“With the enrollment decline that we’re expecting for higher education, this is an area where schools can have an immediate impact on their enrollment, and they’re also helping their students reach their goals.”
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Re-enrollment coaches are trained listeners who can dig into the nuances of stopped-out adults more deeply than college advisors, who may be strained from managing too many students.
“Often it’s not the first thing a student says that needs to be discussed,” Bauer says. “It might be the third or fourth or fifth thing that needs to be talked about that can be a barrier to their success,” such as housing insecurity or lack of stable internet.
North Carolina community colleges have so far re-enrolled over 2,500 stopped-out adult learners with the help of Inside Track coaching. National University has trained student-facing staff members in best coaching practices to strengthen retention rates.
“Policymakers and states want graduates to fill the needs of the economy,” Bauer says. “That doesn’t happen if a student doesn’t finish their degree.”
Re-enrollment coaching can be particularly helpful for first-generation students navigating higher education, Bauer says. “I’m a first-generation college student. I know that I didn’t have the support that I needed, so I knew this could make a difference in the lives of individuals. Coaches can play that role and be that champion.”
