In an article for Innovative Higher Education, Emily VanZoest (North Carolina State University) et al outline a conceptual framework for the adult learner journey. The authors explain that US community colleges’ processes, policies, and practices have not been tailored to serve the growing number of mature learners enrolling in higher ed. The authors’ “Five P Framework” responds to this issue by covering five aspects of the learner journey: partnerships (collaborations with other agencies), pathways (academic and career advising), processes (and tailored approaches), proximity (access to the institution and supports), and public messaging (marketing and communications). The framework offers considerations and examples for each aspect to support the development of policies and practices that better serve adult learners.
