Features
Fast Track to Learn and Earn
 | Besides the alternative course options, NWACC offers “short courses” designed to help students “brush up on their learning skills” while building their confidence.
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For those who have been out of college for a while or never went, stepping onto a college campus can be a terrifying experience.
Start with the Internet. (No web skills? Ask your child.) You can check out local educational options, such as public or private two- or four-year colleges, and whether you need an advanced degree or certificate to achieve your goals.
Not sure of your career goal?
Professionals recommend considering a career that is in high demand — not just around the country but in your area. The Department of Labor’s website offers a short- and long-term look at national employment trends. The ideal situation is to select a field that’s growing and needs people to fill empty slots for some time to come.
It needs to be a career path you’re interested in and feels right.
A CLOSER LOOK
Dr. Chuck Kater, vice president of Workforce Development at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, says its Bentonville campus is seeing “a marked increase in the number of people asking about job training programs.”
For instance, he says the college’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) program has seen a dramatic enrollment increase. “This year’s enrollment has doubled over last year’s enrollment numbers.”
It’s a career path that pays big dividends after a relatively short period of training.
“Last spring Southern Arkansas University Tech had higher enrollment numbers. We’re already seeing an increase in the number of non-traditional and traditional students and students who are trying to save money because of the economy,” says Kim Coker, SAU Tech director of communications and public relations.
Dr. Peggy Doss, University of Arkansas at Monticello dean of the School of Education, is seeing an interest in her department’s Master of Arts (MAT) program.
“It’s an alternative route to teacher education and designed for individuals who are career changers,” she explains. To be eligible, students must hold a bachelor’s degree. Instead of a traditional teacher certification program, MAT allows a graduate to teach while taking summer, fall weekend and online classes.
“It’s great for those looking for a change,” she says.
The number of nontraditional students at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is rising, too. “It’s clear some people are going back to college. After all, when you can’t earn, you can learn,” says Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions.
In order to help students make it through the hard times, UA-Fayetteville is not raising its tuition rates this year.
“A lot of students and their families have expressed their appreciation that we’re holding our tuition in check,” McCray says.
Kater says, “We’re taking a large number of students who fall into the nontraditional category.” These are people who may not have attended college before, may spent time in the military, or have a job or family or might be a little older, he says.
“They’re worried about their economic future and want to get an education, but they need flexibility while meeting their family obligations and responsibilities,” Kater says.
 | | Last spring Southern Arkansas University Tech had higher enrollment numbers and is seeing an increase in the number of non-traditional and traditional students. |
The nontraditional student may worry about meeting classroom or technological demands and often need night or weekend class times and online options.
Besides alternative course options, NWACC offers “short courses” designed to help students “brush up on their learning skills while building their confidence to complete a program, Kater says.
Often returning students doesn’t feel confident, but despite that, professionals agree these students often prove themselves when it comes to academics.
“They often have real world experience and a context for learning that a less-experienced (or younger) student doesn’t have,” Kater says.
NWACC’s career and writing centers are also designed to help, as is their program that partners new students with upper classmen or recent graduates who can help the newcomer make a successful transition from the work-world to the classroom.
SAU Tech is also extending a hand to baby boomers, returning veterans and those who find themselves out of a job.
Robert Gunnels, SAU Tech vice-chancellor for extended education, says he expects a big surge of baby boomers who because of the downturn in the economy can’t afford to or aren’t ready to retire.
At the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, Brent Talley with the college’s Marketing and Public Relations department says the area has experienced a large number of layoffs. “We have a large number of nontraditional students,” Talley says. There are also a number of first generation college-goers, and so the two-year college has purposely kept their classroom sizes small.
“The professor knows you by name,” he says.
Because registration, orientation, fees and other signup obligations can be overwhelming, the college offers a tour before the first day of class. Students can familiarize themselves with the campus and; “It’s a foreign world and we walk them through the process,” Talley says.
Registration can now be done entirely online as well as on campus.
At Cossatot Community College Mark Riley, in Marketing, says, “We recognize college can be kind of scary, and we want to make sure returning to college (or for first-time students) isn’t difficult.”
Cossatot Community College and many other colleges recognize military veterans often have different needs and questions than other students. They’re going out of its way to welcome military veterans, assigning special personnel to assist them.
UA-Fayetteville Assistant Director for Communications and Marketing John Baltz says, “We are trying to make our campus more veteran friendly, and are extending help to the vets coming in under the new GI Bill.”
Don’t be shy when it comes to asking for help, says SFC Tony Guanella, an Army National Guard marketing officer.
THE BOTTOM LINE
At some point when a nontraditional student is looking at college options, the question of finance comes up.
While most people are aware of financial aid, whether state aid, loans or scholarships, available to high school students, “many nontraditional students lack an awareness of the financial aid that’s available,” Kater says.
There are several options for the nontraditional student, and anyone who is considering a training or degree program should talk with a professional about financial aid.
Also, ask about financial aid that is specific to your circumstances. For instance, there are programs just for high school graduates, parents, mothers, military and more, he says.
Besides programs such as Arkansas Career Pathways and student loans, many employers offer to foot the bill for part or all of college classes their employees successfully complete.
Above all, Kater encourages people who are worried about their economic future or are facing unemployment to check out their local community college.
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