2008 Woodie Awards
Nontrads: Students that have a life
Pamela Torres
Issue date: 2/27/03 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Over 25-years-old, married and employed is a description of Michele Allard, a student finishing her first quarter. She is beginning to realize that she isn’t the traditional student. Or is she? Allard is part of a majority of students here that are a part of a trend playing out across campuses nationwide.
“I chose UWT because of its accessibility. I can walk to school,” Allard said. “I’m looking for a marketable degree.”
Allard is one of six- million non-traditional students who bring with them a unique set of challenges that colleges like UWT are being forced to address. These students are so prevalent, in fact, the term “Nontrads” has been created to refer to these adult learners.
“The non-traditional student has competing priorities other than just going to school,” said Steve Smith, associate director of student services. “It’s important to make sure their access to educational programs is easier.”
One way that UWT has met that need is by offering extended hours that students can access administrative offices. There are support services on campus, Smith says, and one of the most important is the student counseling center located on the first floor of the science building.
“Helping people balance their respective needs and take care of the fear and anxiety that come with returning to school and a new academic path, dealing with shifts and changes in their lives and working with problems that have effected academic performance in the past are some of the things the center can help with,” said Dr. Carol Wood, lead counselor and clinical psychologist of the student counseling center.
Non-traditional students are often in college at their own expense and great personal sacrifice. Families, jobs and classes all compete simultaneously for their attention, Wood said, but there are tools that can help a student balance it all.
Nontrads belong to a group that makes up 42 percent of all college enrollments, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics Association. These students pay billions of dollars on tuition, fees and books each year. Some students believe their dollars could be spent on more programs that benefit the Nontrad, like easier access to educational resources.
“I chose UWT because of its accessibility. I can walk to school,” Allard said. “I’m looking for a marketable degree.”
Allard is one of six- million non-traditional students who bring with them a unique set of challenges that colleges like UWT are being forced to address. These students are so prevalent, in fact, the term “Nontrads” has been created to refer to these adult learners.
“The non-traditional student has competing priorities other than just going to school,” said Steve Smith, associate director of student services. “It’s important to make sure their access to educational programs is easier.”
One way that UWT has met that need is by offering extended hours that students can access administrative offices. There are support services on campus, Smith says, and one of the most important is the student counseling center located on the first floor of the science building.
“Helping people balance their respective needs and take care of the fear and anxiety that come with returning to school and a new academic path, dealing with shifts and changes in their lives and working with problems that have effected academic performance in the past are some of the things the center can help with,” said Dr. Carol Wood, lead counselor and clinical psychologist of the student counseling center.
Non-traditional students are often in college at their own expense and great personal sacrifice. Families, jobs and classes all compete simultaneously for their attention, Wood said, but there are tools that can help a student balance it all.
Nontrads belong to a group that makes up 42 percent of all college enrollments, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics Association. These students pay billions of dollars on tuition, fees and books each year. Some students believe their dollars could be spent on more programs that benefit the Nontrad, like easier access to educational resources.