As colleges and universities face shifting enrollment patterns and growing workforce demands, many institutions are turning their attention to a significant population of learners who have already started their educational journeys but never completed a credential. Across the country, millions of adults have accumulated college credits without earning a degree, creating both a challenge for higher education and an opportunity to expand educational attainment, workforce readiness, and economic mobility.
In a recent commentary for Community College Daily, Ruth Bauer explores the growing importance of re-engaging stopped-out students and helping them return to complete what they started. As adult learners increasingly balance education alongside careers, caregiving responsibilities, and financial obligations, successful re-enrollment efforts require institutions to move beyond traditional enrollment strategies and create experiences designed around the realities of students’ lives.
The article highlights several key practices that can improve re-enrollment outcomes, including cross-campus collaboration, data-informed outreach, streamlined administrative processes, personalized communications, and student support services that address academic, financial, and personal barriers. Rather than viewing re-enrollment as a short-term enrollment strategy, Bauer argues that institutions should make it a long-term commitment grounded in student success. Building trust through clear communication, flexible pathways, and coordinated support can help learners regain momentum and persist toward credential completion.
For National University, supporting adult learners through every stage of their educational journey is central to its mission. Many of today’s learners are balancing education and careers, family responsibilities, military service, or other commitments. At NU, these students are known as ANDers because they are pursuing their education while managing the realities of everyday life. Through its Whole Human Education™ approach, the university connects academic, career, financial, and personal support services to help students navigate life’s complexities, persist through challenges, and achieve their educational and professional goals.
Learn More:
Read the full commentary, Re-enrolling Stopped-Out Students as a Community College Imperative, in Community College Daily. Learn more about how National University supports adult learners and ANDers through Whole Human Education™, flexible learning pathways, and student-centered support at https://www.nu.edu/.
