The 36th Annual Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA) Conference was held on March 10-11, 2016 in Orlando, Florida, on the campus of the University of Central Florida. There were 48 presentations from scholars and practitioners from 20 states who participated in the conference. The contributions to these proceedings represent the best of the…

The purpose of this study was to increase an understanding of spirituality's place in the holistic adult adjustment of new faculty members during their transitional years at a public research university. Many have been concerned about the sense of fragmentation experienced in the academy and have called for cultural reforms of the conditions that…

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the phenomenon of the conflicting roles, such as parent, spouse, employee, caregiver, and community member/volunteer, associated with the lives of nontraditional college students and to reveal how these conflicting role obligations influence these students' persistence toward the attainment of…

A study was conducted of all Christian theological seminaries and divinity schools in the United States and Canada. The search was for Christian higher education courses, programs, and degrees offered by these graduate schools. Only a few schools offer courses per se in Christian higher education. Eight schools offered courses of instruction…

As important as teaching processes are in adult learning, it may be even more important to help adults find connections between discipline content and the issues they experience personally as they move through the life cycle. (Author/MSE)

A common outcome of entering post-compulsory education as a mature aged learner appears to be development and growth of the self. However, this is often only viewed as an outcome or considered an added benefit, rather than an integral part of the academic process itself. This paper explores the relationship between academic growth and personal…

The failure to appreciate the nature of adult development and its relationship to learning and teaching is in part theoretical and in part due to weak research methodology. New and more effective methodologies use a combination of cross-sections of groups and longitudinal studies. Consideration of adult learner self-concept is also vital. (MSE)

University adult education programs (n=83) surveyed by telephone indicated the following: 17% phased out the program; students are 12% full time, 88% part time; most offer required/elective courses in adult learning and development theory; only 43 knew of the Standards for Graduate Programs in Adult Education; and only 32 of those used the…

Tribal colleges play a powerful role in the personal development as well as the academic development of American Indian students. By providing access, exposure to native culture, personal support, preparation for further education, and a sense of empowerment, tribal colleges are influential in advancing self-awareness, interpersonal sensitivity,…

Major life developmental tasks are identified, along with the learning outcomes necessary to fulfill those tasks for adults from age 17 to retirement. Attention is directed to the important connection between life cycle change and adult learning as well as seven assumptions underlying life cycle theory. Developmental tasks and learning needs are…

Major theories of adult development and learning environment are presented, with criteria for assessing institutional response to adult learners. Two major needs are discussed: an approach to adult learning that is integrated within programs or throughout institutions, and going beyond providing a proper environment to providing skills and…

Recounts the special needs and capabilities of adult learners that one teacher observed in her extension course on business communication. (RL)

An experimental adult studies curriculum for adult students at Empire State is analyzed in terms of trends in adult participation in higher education and of four theoretical perspectives: life cycle theory, ego development, moral development, and adult learning style. (MSE)

The New Resources Program at the College of New Rochelle has consciously tried to develop a philosophy of education for adults (already experienced learners) and establish a program based on this philosophy. These programs include life experience credits, core seminars, independent study, curriculum development, increased student-faculty…

This collection of essays is intended to spark thoughtful discussion about future directions for developmental education. The essays grew out of a conversation among 21 local, regional, and national leaders in the field of developmental education at the "First Intentional Meeting on Future Directions in Developmental Education," held in October,…