Persistence of Adult Undergraduates on a Traditionally-Oriented University Campus: Does Donaldson and Graham's Model of College Outcomes for Adult Students Still Apply?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the social and academic experiences of non-traditional students pursuing a bachelor's degree at a traditionally-oriented residential university and how these experiences promote or impede their persistence to graduation. The study explored components of Donaldson and Graham's Model of College Outcomes for Adult Students and confirmed their proposed influences, including prior experience and personal biographies, adult cognition, psycho-social and value orientation, life-world environment, and the connecting classroom. Three additional specific findings focused on a strong personal striving characteristic among students, the motivation to attend and stay in college to be role models for their children, and gender difference regarding the use of and expectation for faculty support.