Sat Nov 07 2009
By JENNY DERRINGER
Rural Pettisville resident Kathy Bechstein's day includes conducting education programs at the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Napoleon, and preparing for college classes in the evening.
In her 50s, Bechstein decided to go back to school to finish a degree in social work at Defiance College to enhance her position at the agency.
She joins millions of other adults over age 25, also known as non-traditional students, returning to the classroom.
"I took classes in the past at Bowling Green, University of Toledo and Northwest State Community College," said Bechstein. "I decided it's now or never if I'm going to get my degree."
She and her husband have two children -- one a college junior, the other a high school sophomore. Currently enrolled in two classes this semester, Bechstein plans to graduate in two years.
"I always intended to go back," she said, "and I thought if I don't go back now, there's no point."
At Defiance College, she believes there's a good mix of traditional (age 25 and under) and non-traditional students, allowing her to feel comfortable.
"They make it so much easier to go back to school," she also said of staff members, who assist her with paperwork and scheduling classes.
With the state of the economy, it wouldn't hurt to have a degree backing up one's resume and experience.
Making up the look of non-traditional students these days are retirees, veterans, stay-at-home moms, divorcees and those looking to change their career either out of boredom or ever-increasing layoffs.
The recession has sent workers back to school to "retool," while others return to earn a master's degrees in their chosen field.
Defiance College's adult enrollment has held steady for the last several years, though there was a slight increase this fall, noted Sally Bissell, assistant dean for adult and graduate programs. In the past, many of those students were business majors but she stated that there has been an increased interest in social work, education and the sciences.
Bissell reported that 20 percent of current enrollment is made up of adults age 23 and older.
"Adult students return to the classroom for various reasons," explained Bissell. "It takes a great deal of planning on their part to prepare for this venture and many times it may take a year or longer in taking that first step. The Center for Adult and Graduate Programs staff understands the commitment they are making and are sensitive to meeting their needs.
"As in past years, job loss and the economy certainly played a major role in the increased interest in education, however, the adult students we have come in contact with are returning to college for other reasons.
"Some have stated, 'It is my turn,' " she said. "They have supported other family members in education and careers and now it's time for them."
Other reasons include personal satisfaction, job stability/advancement or preparation for a potential future job loss, Bissell stated.
"Many of our adult students look at the location of Defiance College and see us as providing a quality education in a convenient location," she said. "With the current economic situation, people seem more concerned about education-related costs such as travel and time.
"The staff in the Center for Adult and Graduate Programs encourages any adult to consider starting or returning to the classroom," added Bissell. "Education at any level is one, if not the most, valuable resource we have available to us. For many adults, college seems like a daunting undertaking, but we have an excellent support system in place to help them succeed."
The U.S. Census reported that in 1970, 11.7 percent of the college population was age 25 and older. That same figure grew to 20.8 in 2006. As the recession continues, that trend will likely continue upward.
"I do know that the state trend for non-traditional students returning is expected to increase due to the economy," said Kristi zumFelde Rotroff, director of student resources at Northwest State Community College. "The governor has stated that one of the keys to Ohio's economy is education and job training.
"Sometimes we wonder, will these students really be considered non-traditional at some point in the future?" said Rotroff. "If the balance tips toward non-traditional students making up 51 percent of a student population in community colleges, that would be interesting. In four-year colleges that isn't as likely to happen as soon, if ever. Community colleges are a natural entry point for these students, and the fact that more and more courses transfer to four-year colleges means that non-traditional students could continue on."
Rotroff sees more older students returning to college for a variety of reasons including a desired change in career, new job requirements or never having finished a degree earlier in life due to marriage, children, illness or a need to work full-time.
"I would say that this is a great time to consider it and that people should check out NSCC," said Rotroff. "We are local, we offer both in-person and online classes, and we have over 70 programs to choose from. I would also add that going to college isn't easy, but the rewards are amazing. And, there are people to help students get through the tough times."
The average age of NSCC students has been between 26 and 28 over the last five years, noted Mari Yoder, vice president for institutional advancement. Currently, 38 percent of the college's students are over age 25.
"Being a community college, we have always catered to the non-traditional," said Yoder. "There is a trend nationally, though, for high school juniors and seniors to attend community college.
"Also, this fall I talked to several students that had planned to go away to college," added Yoder, "but because of finances chose to spend their first (and some second) year at NSCC before transferring to a four-year college because of the cost savings."
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