The Adult Learner Resource Center and Lounge provides adult learners their own space on the campus. It is equipped with a small library of resource books, coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, a computer and printer, white board, table and chairs.
INCREASE OF ADULT LEARNERS AND EVENING CLASSES
PROMPTS ADDITIONAL HOURS ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS
To accommodate the increase of adult learners and evening classes, Penn State New Kensington expanded its academic services in March, after the students returned from spring break.
Adult learners, including veterans, comprise approximately 29 percent of the student population at the campus. The number of vets at the campus is expected to rise in the next few years as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars wind down and more military personnel fulfill their service obligations and return to civilian status.
Evening programs are an essential component of class offerings for this segment of students, many of whom work full-time jobs. Four campus bachelor’s programs -- Business, Information Sciences and Technology, Nursing and Organizational Leadership -- can be completed at night.
“We already have many evening students and anticipate building more programs into the evening hours,” said Andrea Adolph, director of academic affairs. “In order to serve current students better and to meet the needs of possible new students, we are expanding our services. “
To provide additional resources for the night time population, selected departments are extending office hours until 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays through May 2. The offices of Admissions, Business/Finance, Registrar, and Chancellor are open late on Mondays, and the offices of Academic Affairs and Continuing Education are open late on Thursdays.
The Academic and Career Success Center, a collaboration of three departments, Academic Advising, Learning Center, and Career Services, is open on both nights with each department providing services at least once a week. The Learning Center will be open on both days augmented by advising services on Mondays and career services on Thursdays.There will be no extended hours during the summer; the evening schedule resumes in the fall.
The Students Affairs office will continue its longtime policy of opening until 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday.
“We want to offer our evening students, many of whom are working adults, the services at night that will help them to best navigate Penn State and that will help them to succeed,” said Adolph, who was named to her position in 2012. “We are welcoming evening students and want to be responsive to their needs.”
The evening schedule complements another support feature for non-traditional students, the Adult Learner Resource Center and Lounge, which gives adult learners their own space on the campus. Located next to the Student Life office on the lower level of the Administration building, the lounge includes a small library of resource books, coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, a computer and printer, white board, table and chairs for small group study and comfortable chairs for relaxation. Hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
For more on evening programs, visit http://nk.psu.edu/Admissions/45195.htm