Member Matters March 2026

A Monthly Lookback at Some of the Good Work in the CAEL Membership Community

Accelerating Adult Learning

A RAND study has highlighted an Ivy Tech Community College program as a model for leveraging employer partnerships for adult learner success. RAND found that participation in the college's Achieve Your Degree program, which features employer-tailored training, boosts credential completion (Ivy Tech Community College). (Note: RAND is partnering with CAEL on a grant-funded CPL public policy community of practice).

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study has found that the Michigan Reconnect program has boosted adult learner enrollment at Michigan community colleges by nearly 40%. (Higher Ed Dive)

LaGuardia Community College has been awarded a grant from the College Completion Innovation Fund to support its new Adult Learner Evening Hub. The hub was inspired by the college's engagement with adult learners through its CPL office (LaGuardia Community College).

Southern Connecticut State University is using short-term, competency-based programs to engage thousands of adult learners with upskilling and reskilling opportunities (Southern Connecticut State University).

Barry University has shared several student-level success stories testifying to the impact of its adult learner program (Barry University).

The State University of New York (SUNY) is partnering with CAEL to make Adult Learner 360™ available to 10 SUNY community colleges. Adult Learner 360 is CAEL's integrated diagnostic tool and consulting solution used to identify areas for improved service to adult learners (SUNY).

Two universities within the University of North Carolina System have joined Project Kitty Hawk, which has helped its partners enroll more than 3,000 adult learners since launching in late 2023. System partners now include North Carolina Central University, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (University of North Carolina). 

Employer-Industry Engagement

LeMoyne-Owen College plans to apply a $500,000 investment from FedEx to enhance career preparation resources and strengthen the college's ties to local employers (We Are Memphis).

A partnership between Northwood University and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) includes tuition discounts and scholarships and supports the university's legacy of embracing experiential learning (Northwood University).

The Detroit Regional Chamber's "Pathways in Practice" initiative is connecting high school students with experiential learning opportunities with many health care industry partners, expanding awareness of and access to an array of career pathways in the sector (Detroit Regional Chamber).

A $270,000 state grant will help Oakton College expand education-employment pathways, employer partnerships, and wraparound support for adult learners (Oakton College). 

The Art of Articulation and Credit Mobility

The Technical College System of Georgia and American College of Education have announced an articulation agreement that covers students as well as employees. The agreement maximizes transfer credit and includes a tuition discount for eligible TCSG students, graduates, and full-time employees who enroll at ACE (TCSG).

Scottsdale Community College has introduced the "Bridge2Bachelor's" program, which allows students to seamlessly stack an associate of applied science degree in their chosen workforce development field to the college's bachelor of business administration (Scottsdale Community College).

An an agreement between Thomas Edison State University and Aviation High School is establishing a credit crosswalk linking FAA airframe and powerplant mechanical certifications to college credit via TESU's Professional Learning Review process (Thomas Edison State University).

Awards and Other Achievements

SUNY Oswego's integrative professional studies program received the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Malcolm S. Knowles Award for outstanding achievement in adult education. The program, launched in 2022, is designed to help adult learners complete a bachelor's degree and includes CPL, transfer credits, and microcredentials in its approach (Oswego County News Now).