UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — One of the country’s most respected higher education journalists will give the keynote address at Penn State’s 2019 Hendrick Best Practices for Adult Learners Conference on May 8.

Goldie Blumenstyk, a senior writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, will discuss “The Adult Student: The Population Colleges — and the Nation — Can’t Afford to Ignore,” a special report published in 2018. The report explores the growing imperative for colleges and universities to support adult learners as demographic changes and economic pressures will require them to expand in order to survive or thrive.

Blumenstyk will provide insights into three key areas: barriers that prevent adult learner success; strategies to develop programs for and to attract adult learners; and how to work with government, industries and other partners to support adult learners.

The conference will be held at the Nittany Lion Inn at the University Park campus and is open to Penn State employees from all campuses. Registration is open through April 25.

Blumenstyk’s talk is one of the sessions rounding out the annual one-day conference that brings together faculty, staff and administrators who support the 16,478 adult learners at Penn State’s 24 campuses, including University Park and Penn State World Campus. The conference will include the following options for breakout sessions:

• An update about the transfer credit process at Penn State.
• Academic accommodations for adult learners in traditional and online learning settings.
• Engaging adult learners in co-curricular experiences.
• Support initiatives to aid in the retention of the adult learner.
• Promoting student engagement.
• A discussion with chancellors of Penn State Commonwealth Campuses.
• Recruiting adult learners and helping them through graduation.
• The Veteran Student Sponsor Program at Penn State’s University Park campus.

A panel discussion with current Penn State adult learners will take place over lunch, and the closing session will be a discussion about the future of adult learner advocacy at Penn State featuring University administrators and faculty.

Penn State’s Commission for Adult Learners sponsors the annual conference, which is named in honor of the late Shirley Hendrick, associate dean for continuing education in the Penn State Smeal College of Business and the inaugural chair of the commission. The group comprises administrators, faculty and staff from across Penn State who are dedicated to reviewing policies and practices that will improve the adult learner experience at the University.

Visit the Hendrick Conference website for the full program agenda or to register.

To join the email list or volunteer to assist with the conference, contact Judy Wills at jcw25@psu.edu or 814-863-1316.