Event designed to “take the edge off” returning to college
A reception for adult students planning to come to Kirkwood is set for August 19, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 316A, Iowa Hall on Kirkwood’s main Cedar Rapids campus. The prospective student event features presentations by former “new returning students,” plus walking tours of the campus to familiarize students with classroom and office locations. Refreshments will be served.
According to Kirkwood Adult Admission Specialist Mark Ash the event is designed to “take the edge off the nerves” for students planning to return to college life. He said one recently registering student told him she was “excited about moving forward” and described herself as “nervous and excited all at the same time” about the approach of classes.
“We know that deciding to come back to college is a big step for many people. It’s a relief for them to find out they are not alone. Far from it! When you define the ‘returning adult student’ as anyone 22 or older, that’s now more than one third of our Kirkwood student body. We know that meeting other students, seeing the campus up-close and knowing where to go are all very helpful to people discovering what modern college life is all about,” Ash said.
Ash also pointed out the positive role college classes can have for adults facing uncertain employment situations.
“At Kirkwood we are veterans of helping people through the economic cycles and have been a way to help adults find new options. Just this month we have talked with people who have lost small business operations or suffered job layoffs. Amid those difficult times, we hope our Kirkwood services and classes can give those people and others some new, maybe even better options,” he added.
Adult learners interested in attending the August 19 New Adult Learner Welcome Day are asked to RSVP by calling Mark Ash at (319) 398-5543.