Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers: Enrollment Management Challenges in Serving Diverse Adult Learners Across the Spectrum

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Abstract: 

Adult learners seeking to complete an online degree have diverse needs and expectations.  Serving this population (age ranging from 20 to over 50 - average age is 36), requires strategic, multifaceted approaches.  This presentation will address the use of diverse messages, offers, and enrollment services used to meet their needs.    

Extended Abstract: 

From Millennials to Baby Boomers and Military to Business Professionals, Thomas Edison State University serves a diverse adult student population pursuing degree completion.  While some are first-time college students, the majority have previously earned college credit and bring a breadth of prior learning experiences. Additionally, adult students reflect diverse professional and occupational positions.  As such, marketing, recruiting, admitting and enrolling strategies need to take these differences into account. 

The session will delve into segmentation of adult learners at Thomas Edison State University, and provide insight into the multifaceted marketing and communications approach to meeting unique needs and common expectations.  The presentation will provide examples of targeted, operational initiatives emerging from the strategic utilization of a robust data reporting capability based on a rigorous analytical framework.  

The learning objectives for the session are:

  • Develop awareness of the diverse needs and expectations of adult learners that impact enrollment

  • Understand the importance of multifaceted outreach channels and programs

  • Provide insight into the importance of data driven analytics and tools

  • Learn how TESU addresses enrollment management for this diverse adult learner market

Session Type: 
Education Session