Kirkwood Admissions office hosts New Adult Learner Welcome Day on May 4
Kirkwood Community College will hold a reception for adults who are planning to return to college or start for the first time. The free event is set for Wednesday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 125, Iowa Hall on Kirkwood’s main Cedar Rapids campus.
Former adult learners will be on hand to share their stories of college life. There will also be walking tours of the campus to familiarize students with classroom and office locations. Refreshments will be served.
According to Adult Admissions Advisor Mark Ash, the event helps ease adults into the college setting. “Making the decision to go to college is a big step for people of all ages. It’s a relief for adult learners to find out they are not alone. When you define the ‘returning-adult student’ as anyone 22 or older, that’s now more than one third of our Kirkwood student body,” Ash said. “I meet with adults in eastern Iowa on a daily basis. Everyone has a different story and a different reason for wanting to go to college.” Typically they all see barriers to college. This session helps them see past those.”
Kirkwood student enrollments for those 25 and older grew by more than 13 percent in the fall of 2010, compared with the previous year.
Ash also pointed out the positive role college classes can have for adults facing uncertain employment situations. He said future students will learn how to address the delicate balance between family, work and pursuing their education.
“At Kirkwood we constantly help people through the economic cycles and show people new options. People come to us who have been laid off, lost their small business, want to go to college for the first time or are just looking to switch career paths. Kirkwood can give those people, and others, some new, maybe even better options to get to a better place,” Ash added.
Adult learners interested in attending the May 4 New Adult Learner Welcome Day are asked to RSVP by calling Mark Ash at (319) 398-5543 or emailing mark.ash@kirkwood.edu.