Tennessee State University Joins National Group that Advocates Best Practices for Adult Learners

Nashville, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has joined a national organization that focuses on best practices for adult learners.

Higher education institutions that are part of the Coalition of Adult Learning Focused Institutions (ALFI) strive to advance programs and services for adult learners, evaluate their adult degree programs and share “best practices.”

TSU is prepared to do more in its outreach to increase the number of adult learners seeking a postsecondary degree. The University has identified barriers that impede the progress of adult learners. It addresses the needs of the adult learner population through it’s: (1) Accelerated Degree Programs, (2) Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Services, (3) Academic and Financial Resources for Veteran Students, ((4) Academic Degree Maps, (5) Academic Fresh Start Policy, and (6) Courses redesigned for the adult learner.

The ALFI coalition is an alliance of members of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) who demonstrate their commitment to improving their services to adult learners by completing the ALFI surveys. The surveys assist colleges and universities on how to serve adult learners effectively and identify and compare how students, faculty, staff and administrators value the services offered by the institution. The data identifies institutions’ strengths and challenges to plan strategically for the future, and allocate resources for the greatest impact. Data also serve as a baseline, enabling an institution to establish consistent measurements for the impact of their adult programs.

“Tennessee State University is the only public university in the Metropolitan Nashville Area to be awarded the Adult Learning Focused Institution designation based on its commitment to provide programs and services addressing the needs of adult learners,” said Adrian Miller, coordinator of the Office Student Support Services for Adult and Distance Learners. “We are very proud to have this distinction.”

Tennessee State University is committed to excellence and has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning is a national leader in the fields of adult learning and workforce development, providing colleges and universities, companies, labor organizations and state and local governments with the tools and strategies they need for creating practical, effective lifelong learning solutions. More information is available at www.cael.org.

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Tennessee State University
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About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.