NC Reconnect: Increasing Adult Learner Success via Professional Staff Training

Many states have established educational attainment goals to align a skilled workforce with industry needs, mainly focusing on adults with some college experience but no degree, who often face challenges such as debt despite progressing toward completion. The NC Reconnect project, initiated four years ago with a small cohort of five colleges, has expanded to 20 community colleges across North Carolina, engaging over 42,000 learners and enrolling more than 2,500, resulting in a combined $2.9M return on investment in additional tuition revenue for the first term. This project has provided valuable insights into effectively supporting and retaining adult learners, leading to transformative changes at Forsyth Tech and Durham Tech Community Colleges through enhanced professional development for staff and improved internal processes for connecting with adult learners. Ultimately, this initiative has equipped colleges with tools to serve their learners better while enhancing college culture and staff satisfaction. Guests: ·       Paula Dibley, Chief Officer of Student Success & Strategic Innovation at Forsyth Technical Community College ·       Abraham Dones, Vice President and Chief Student Services Officer at Durham Technical Community College