Adults "Return to Learn" at Northwest Arkansas Community College
By: Marissa Stevens, KNWA-TV, Fayetteville
Updated: November 2, 2012
Deciding whether to go back to school can be daunting, so one local college is trying to make the transition easier for non-traditional students.
"I decided I actually needed an education to really get to the goals that I wanted to obtain," says James Miskimen.
Many, like 27-year-old Miskimen, are going back to college after years outside the classroom.
"I tried my own photography company and I basically fell flat on my face because I didn't have the business skills, accounting skills," he explains.
On Tuesday, Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) hosted Return to Learn for non-traditional students. The event provided key information about how to enroll, financial aid, and how to create a plan of action.
"Nationally, we're seeing about one-third of our students that are returning to college or coming to college for the first time as adult learners," says Dr. Todd Kitchen, Vice President for Learner Support Services at NWACC.
As folks continue their quest for knowledge, Dr. Kitchen understands flexibility is key.
"Many of them have families and lots of other responsibilities they're trying to manage," he says.
The event brought all the resources students need to get started under one roof. It's an adjustment to sit behind a school desk again, but many are competing for a paycheck in this economy.
"You have to come to school, work, and then your free time is now filled up with homework, so it's a little bit different. Not having a degree basically puts you at a high school education level. You have to have a college degree to get most jobs," Miskimen says.
So if you are considering continuing your education, Dr. Kitchen wants you to know there are thousands in your same situation and all you need to do is take that first step.
"Come in, ask questions, look around, let us make you feel comfortable about coming back to college," he says.
NWACC has several different programs specifically designed to help non-traditional students. Return to Learn provided resources not only for those interested in taking college classes, but for those looking to earn a workforce certification or GED.
Click here to learn more about the programs NWACC has to offer.
Click here to watch this report.
"I decided I actually needed an education to really get to the goals that I wanted to obtain," says James Miskimen.
Many, like 27-year-old Miskimen, are going back to college after years outside the classroom.
"I tried my own photography company and I basically fell flat on my face because I didn't have the business skills, accounting skills," he explains.
On Tuesday, Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) hosted Return to Learn for non-traditional students. The event provided key information about how to enroll, financial aid, and how to create a plan of action.
"Nationally, we're seeing about one-third of our students that are returning to college or coming to college for the first time as adult learners," says Dr. Todd Kitchen, Vice President for Learner Support Services at NWACC.
As folks continue their quest for knowledge, Dr. Kitchen understands flexibility is key.
"Many of them have families and lots of other responsibilities they're trying to manage," he says.
The event brought all the resources students need to get started under one roof. It's an adjustment to sit behind a school desk again, but many are competing for a paycheck in this economy.
"You have to come to school, work, and then your free time is now filled up with homework, so it's a little bit different. Not having a degree basically puts you at a high school education level. You have to have a college degree to get most jobs," Miskimen says.
So if you are considering continuing your education, Dr. Kitchen wants you to know there are thousands in your same situation and all you need to do is take that first step.
"Come in, ask questions, look around, let us make you feel comfortable about coming back to college," he says.
NWACC has several different programs specifically designed to help non-traditional students. Return to Learn provided resources not only for those interested in taking college classes, but for those looking to earn a workforce certification or GED.
Click here to learn more about the programs NWACC has to offer.
Click here to watch this report.
