California Competes, in collaboration with CaliforniaAttain! partners, conducted research and organized a community of practice to better understand the needs and experiences of returning students. This panel discussion delved into the findings of the resulting publication and explored what was learned and the next steps for both institutions and the state to better support comebackers and increase re-enrollment and degree attainment.
Webinar Panelists:
- Melanie Dixon, Executive Director, ProjectAttain!
- Ben Fell, Interim Associate Dean, College of Continuing Education, Sacramento State
- Buffy Tanner, Director of Innovation and Special Projects, Shasta College
- Laura Bernhard, Senior Researcher, California Competes (Moderator)
Related Research & Resources
Research
This report, which draws on over 50 interviews with comebacker students (those who exited college and reenrolled) and a community of practice through CaliforaniaAttain!, identifies four key areas, each with its own set of recommendations for promoting reenrollment and degree attainment while also shifting higher education structures to address the needs of today's diverse college-going population.
Policy Analysis
This research brief examines how adult learners are faring with recent reforms in developmental education–uncovering a stark disparity that demands attention.
Current Project
Four organizations join efforts through the CaliforniaAttain! collaborative to conduct research, identify evidence-based practices, and advance reforms that re-engage adult learners back into college and onto completion.
