Providing Adult Learners in Community Colleges With Education and Support

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the development and mission of community colleges to present the challenges that adult students who attend community colleges often face, and to explore ways that community colleges can help students overcome these challenges. Challenges are often related to other obligations adult students face, financial pressures, geographic location, academic ability, and feelings of not belonging. Community colleges are uniquely situated to address these challenges through programs and practices from beginning orientation, through coursework, and onto graduation. Postsecondary education can lead to employment that can give students the resources they need to improve the lives of their families and communities.