The use of social-emotional learning (SEL) in education has seen a significant increase in elementary schools with numerous studies supporting its benefits (Kim, 2022). However, the same is not true for high schools and higher education. Research supports the notion that SEL not only improves academic achievement but also enhances self-efficacy, a…

Adults represent a vital and growing undergraduate demographic, bringing diverse experiences and expectations to the educational environment, yet their unique needs are often underserved. Adult learners face challenges beyond attending classes or completing homework (Bellare et al., 2023). This study examines the interplay between satisfaction,…

In recent decades, higher education has undergone a profound transformation with the increased enrollment of non-traditional students, representing a diverse cohort pursuing education later in life. The purpose of this comprehensive qualitative meta-analysis of existing literature is to meticulously examine the multifaceted challenges and barriers…

As emerging adults transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) workforce, it is essential to understand the factors that predict successful occupational identity achievement, as automation will impact human occupational identity crises. This descriptive cross-sectional study implemented a correlation design to determine the degree to…

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to discover the asynchronous online learning experiences that support learning motivation for community college degree-seeking non-traditional adult learners in the United States. The theoretical framework guiding this study is Knowles' andragogy adult learning theory. The utilization of…

The beneficial effects of nature and natural environments have been extensively researched and the findings generally support that nature and natural environments can reduce stress and improve cognitive function. To evaluate if self-reported stress levels are reduced, or if cognitive functions are enhanced among adult learners in the presence of a…

The American Economy's Cities Index indicates that immigrants worldwide comprise 18% of Hawaii's population, or roughly 255,000 immigrants settling on the tropical paradise in 2018 . Of the total immigrants, more than 110,550 are not naturalized as US citizens, which means limited access to jobs and business leadership opportunities. Regardless of…

As the population of adult learners increases in higher education institutions across the globe, recent studies demonstrate that they face barriers that delay their advanced degree completion. Although K University (pseudonym) had discussed this delay among its adult student population, no studies or interventions had been proposed to address the…

Alcohol abuse is a prevalent problem among college students, with negative consequences on academic performance, social interactions, and well-being. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences and challenges of sobriety for recovering adults returning to college. Sociocultural theory was used to…

This quantitative study investigates the predictive power of machine learning (ML) models on degree completion among adult learners in higher education, emphasizing the enhancement of data-driven decision-making (DDDM). By analyzing three ML models - Random Forest, Gradient-Boosting machine (GBM), and CART Decision Tree - within a not-for-profit,…

Emerging adult learners returning to higher education must balance family, friends, work, community members, and many other responsibilities when they return to school. As higher education institutions struggle to increase enrollments, they can no longer ignore the critical population of students who now understand how returning or beginning…

The proliferation of online education has catapulted academic pedagogical modernization and digital relevancy to the forefront of every Provost's agenda. Online education continues to expand rapidly throughout the higher education sector and an agile institutional structure, personnel and operational units are necessary to meet market demand. This…

A virtual learning environment aims to engage the student, enabling them to interact and express their understanding of the material. Virtual learning engagement for adult learners is essential for active learning. The lack of active learning is a problem, as evident through researched university learner responses. In this descriptive method…

Non-traditional students are quickly becoming the majority on college campuses, with three-fourths of campus populations fitting the definition of a non-traditional student. However, many institutions still lack a tailored orientation model for non-traditional students. This leads to the marginalization of adult learners, distance education…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore nontraditional students' experiences and strategies used to overcome math anxiety. It addressed two research questions; how adult students developed their beliefs about math anxiety, and how they described the strategies used to change their beliefs and become successful in completing an…