We Are Not Eighteen: Welcoming Non-traditional Students on Campus

Abstract

Non-traditional students are quickly becoming the majority on college campuses, with three-fourths of campus populations fitting the definition of a non-traditional student. However, many institutions still lack a tailored orientation model for non-traditional students. This leads to the marginalization of adult learners, distance education students, transfer students, and veterans, creating an "outsider" mentality. This outsider mentality can affect non-traditional student success, causing these students to stop-off or drop-out completely. While much research and program assessment has been conducted around first-generation students and their lack of collegiate knowledge, the same level of attention has not been paid to non-traditional students. Like other four-year institutions, East Carolina University (ECU) focuses orientation efforts on the traditional student population; therefore, this mixed methods study evaluated the current online orientation program for transfer students at East Carolina University using a modified version of Cuseo's (2015) Self-Assessment Model for Evaluating Orientation Programs in order to expand the discussion around non-traditional student success. The most effective methods for addressing the diversity of incoming non-traditional students were explored through quantitative surveys, semi-structured individual interviews, and focus groups with current non-traditional students attending East Carolina University. The study concluded with suggestions for a new online orientation model specifically catered to non-traditional students. Findings from this project can assist Student Transitions staff at ECU in creating a new online orientation model specifically catered to the growing non-traditional student population, as well as provide suggestions for other four-year institutions' orientation programs.