There was a time when

Public colleges and universities routinely offered community education.  Now, it's often up to others, such as private and for-profit colleges.  If they are offered at all.  The Tennessean reports on area offerings.

O'More community classes open

O’More College of Design in Franklin is offering community education courses beginning Oct. 1. Learn how to draw, sew, dress and even how to deal with difficult people. Courses cost $200 unless otherwise noted, have a minimum enrollment of five students and are mostly taught by O’More College of Design faculty. 

Got an email promoting this free webinar on September 20

The Learning House, Inc. invites you to join us for our free webinar, Financial Aid for Nontraditional Programs: Tips for Success. Learn some of the compliance risks when institutions offer financial aid for nontraditional programs, and explore strategies to ensure success. We will discuss how to:

· Develop compliant financial aid calendars and disbursement schedules.
· Determine whether a borrower-based academic year or scheduled academic year is better for your institution.
· Confirm student enrollment and attendance status.
· Schedule disbursements.
· Establish accurate billing systems for student charges.
· Accurately report enrollment status to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

Learn More.

New York Times polls adult students on value of returning to school

Eighty-four percent say the training was a good investment of time and money. By  Marjorie Connelly, Marina Stefan, and Andrea Kayda in The NYTimes.com.

Returning to School for Additional Training

IN these times of employment uncertainties, a third of adults in the United States have gone back to school in the last five years for additional training, according to a recent poll by The New York Times. And less than a third of them have found a new job or secured a promotion. Still, most consider the experience a good investment of time and money. 

About 80 percent who have returned for more training are already employed; 10 percent are looking for work. Most of the adults continuing their education are under age 45 (32 percent are 30 to 44 years old; 44 percent under 30). Two-thirds are without a four-year degree.

THEC Adult Learner Webinar Series

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is pleased to announce its Adult Learner Webinar Series, which will engage educators and student services professionals from across Tennessee with innovative steps being taken to improve adult degree attainment and meet the state’s workforce needs. The purpose of these webinars is to help facilitate dialogue about effective ways to serve adult learners. Please join us for this three-part webinar series. Presenters and their topics include:

Roane State’s H2O (Help to Opportunities) Program: Leading Adults in Transition to Success – Monday, July 30th from 10:00 to 11:00 am Central.

Denette Flynn, H20 Project Navigator

Roane State Community College

Dr. Kristi Roberson James, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research

Roane State Community College

Trevor Stokes,

WIN Learning

The presenters will discuss Roane State’s H20 Program, which seeks to connect adult learners with opportunities in both higher education and the workforce. The presenters will also lead a discussion about the importance of connecting workforce needs with learning among adult learners.

Please visit the following link to participate: https://stateoftennessee.adobeconnect.com/h20

A Framework for Adult Learning – Tuesday, July 31^st from 9:00 to 10:00 am Central

Dr. Doyle Brinson, Director of the University School and Assistant Professor

East Tennessee State University

The presenter will lead a discussion with webinar participants on connecting instruction and student services focused on addressing the needs of adult learners.

Please visit the following link to participate: https://stateoftennessee.adobeconnect.com/framework/

Addressing Deficiencies in the Use of Technology among Adult Students:  A Foundation for Success – Thursday, August 2nd from 9:30 – 10:30 am Central.

Dr. Michele Wollert, Adult Student Services Counselor

Chattanooga State Community College

Carol Swayze, Director of Experiential Learning

Middle Tennessee State University


The presenters will discuss strategies to improve the technological proficiency of adult learners as a means to support retention and persistence of this student population. 

Please visit the following link to participate: https://stateoftennessee.adobeconnect.com/technology

Instructions for Dialing in to the Webinars 

1) Dial the US/CAN or Int’l Toll number depending upon your location.

•      US/CAN Toll Free: 1-888-757-2790•      Int'l Toll: 1-719-359-9722

2) Enter the participant passcode when prompted:     

Participant Passcode: 159883