Focus on Adult Student Scholarships

Edinboro University has 570 permanently endowed scholarships and makes over 2,000 student awards annually. Many of these scholarships do not require a separate application. All students who complete the Edinboro University admissions application and meet the specific selection criteria are automatically considered as possible candidates. Among these scholarships are several specific to the adult learner. Below is a look at one such award.

SGA Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students

This scholarship is awarded to a non-traditional student who is enrolled full time during the fall and spring semesters and is 24 years or older at the time of enrollment. The student must have a minimum of 64 earned credits and a QPA of 3.0 or greater. This scholarship is renewable for one academic year provided the student maintains a cumulative QPA of 3.0 and demonstrates academic progress determined by FAFSA. Financial need may be a factor.

Did you know? During the 2010-2011

academic year, 49 adult students received 59 Edinboro

University scholarships totaling $75,525.

New Leaf ISSUE 03 Fall 2011

in this issue

Tips for Success in Online Class P.1 Adult Student in the Spotlight P.2

79-Year Old Student Graduates P.3 May 2011 Graduates P.4

Tips for Success in an Online

Class By Rick Wagonseller, Director of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing

Edinboro University launched its first internet based program in the fall of 2001. Today, more than 14 separate graduate degree and certificate programs are available online (see page four for details). Students obviously appreciate the quality, flexibility, and convenience of web-based programming. During the fall 2001 semester there were fewer than 50 total online course enrollments. By the fall of 2010, there were more than 2,700!

One factor contributing to this success has been the amount of support that is offered to online students. For example, the Perceptis Help Desk is available 24/7, 365, at 1-877-730-6228, for individuals requiring technical support in connection with an online course. Students may also contact Edinboro’s Technology Help Center at 814-732-2111, for assistance with university e-mail or other network account related issues.

In addition to excellent technical support, “real-time” orientation sessions are also provided for students taking their first online course. Here they receive information on how to log into the myEdinboro portal to access their online content via Online Campus. These sessions provide students with instructions on how to navigate between online course sections and how to use related tools in the online

environment like discussions, quizzes, grades, dropbox, etc.

So, if you’re thinking about becoming an online student, here are some important things to remember:

Time Management – Out of sight does not mean out of mind! If you’re enrolled in a three credit online course, you will spend at least 120 hours working on related course activities.

Motivation – Set goals that are tied to the completion of course assignments and reward yourself when they have been completed.

Study Environment – Work to create a learning environment that ensures success. For example, minimal interruptions, adequate space, and sufficient lighting will all have a positive effect on your online learning experience.

Study Skills – Begin with a quick review of your online course content and then go back and read each section more carefully. Write down related questions and forward them to your instructor for clarification.

Check Your University E-mail – Access your university e-mail account frequently. This is how your online instructor will communicate with you and your classmates.

continued on page 4

Adult Student in the Spotlight

Richard Schlindwein

Dick Schlindwein first attended Edinboro University when it was still a State College in 1969. At that time, his major was Secondary Education—Biology. Although competing interests did not allow him to graduate, he did achieve junior status. Now, 42 years later, he is well on his way to achieving that dream.

Dick returned to Edinboro as a full time student in the spring 2011 when he qualified for trade adjustment assistance (TAA). TAA is a program for displaced workers. Dick was a machinist and union member, but when members of the union were laid off and his factory closed, they qualified for retraining because their jobs were lost as a result of increased imports. Dick had a choice of technical training or academic pursuits. He chose to complete the teaching degree that he left behind long ago. He changed his major to Middle Level Education—Science and is on track to graduate by 2013.

Dick says “This whole experience is a process of rejuvenation. Being a student again and taking it seriously is a great opportunity. I feel energized as I continue this endeavor. At first I was self-conscious about returning as a non-traditional student. I thought I would stand out or not fit in. Edinboro's emphasis on diversity has put my concerns to rest. The regular crowd treats me with respect.”

His advice to other adult students? “Enjoy and appreciate this time in your life. Be flexible and don't be afraid to start something new. I have been in many fields of employment. I have been a realtor, a machinist, and worked in construction. The economy changes , sometimes drastically, and you have to be ready and willing to change with it. Change is good.”

November 7-11, 2011 is National Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week! The National Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week is a national celebration held the first full week of November each year and is sponsored by the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE).

ANTSHE is an international partnership of students, academic professionals, institutions, and organizations whose mission is to encourage and coordinate support, education, and advocacy for the adult learner.

National Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week is a chance for schools to recognize the support many campus departments provide and to celebrate non-traditional student success across the United States and Canada.

Edinboro University’s Office of Adult Student Services will be celebrating National Non-Traditional Student Recognition Week in 2011! November is also National Career Development Month, so there will be at least one career development activity for adult students. Stay tuned for more information as details and events are finalized.

One of Edinboro University’s Oldest Adult Students Among Those Honored at Ceremony

On Friday, April 22, 2011, Edinboro

University honored adult students at the

annual Alpha Sigma Lambda Induction

Ceremony at the Van Houten

South Dining Hall. Thirteen

new adult students were

inducted with an average GPA

of 3.95, and 14 members

graduated.

Although the induction

ceremony is a special

event every year, this

year’s event was extra

special as one of Edinboro University’s

oldest adult students, and Alpha Sigma

Lambda member, Dr. Donald Wheeler, was

graduating with a dual degree in

Accounting and Financial Services.

Dr. Wheeler received his first bachelor’s

degree from Michigan State College in

1953. His master’s degree was earned in

1956 at Michigan State University, and his

Ph.D. is from Cornell University and was

earned in 1961. Dr. Wheeler taught at

Edinboro University in the Biology and

Health Services Department from 1965 to

1997. He graduated from Edinboro

University with his second and third

bachelor’s degrees on May 7, 2011.

Dr. Wheeler addressed

the crowd of members,

inductees and their

families with stories of

his time at Edinboro—

both as a faculty member

and a student.

Dr. Wheeler says

that his future

plans include

addressing some health concerns and to

become a more “typical” retiree.

Spring 2011 Inductees Ms. Kathleen B. Allen Ms. Lisa R. Buzzanco

Ms. Kelly L. Byers Ms. Julee A. Gilbert

Mr. Andrew P. Hosie Mr. Nicholas O. Longstreth

Ms. Jodi Lyon Mr. Braden R. Mitchell Ms. Emily M. Nagurney

Ms. Wanda E. Ocasio-Claudio Ms. Patty S. Payne

Ms. Bethanie R. Polito Ms. Cheryl A. Trabert

Spring 2011 Graduating Members Ms. Kathleen B. Allen

Ms. Kristen M. Ashbaugh Ms. Carla J. Behr

Mr. Tyrone J. Cashdollar Ms. Julee A. Gilbert

Ms. Kimberly S. Gollihugh Ms. Jennifer L. Highfill Mr. Andrew P. Hosie Mr. James H. McCain

Mr. Jon P. McClain Ms. Joyce M. Tinsman

Ms. Kathleen M. Wagner Dr. Donald A. Wheeler

Inductees from left: Cheryl Trabert, Nicholas Longstreth, Kathleen Allen, Lissa Buzzanco, Andrew Hosie, Jodi Lyon, and Emily Nagurney

Graduating members from left: Kathleen Wagner, Andrew Hosie, Kathleen Allen, Tyrone Cashdollar, Jennifer Highfill, Joyce Tinsman, and Dr. Donald Wheeler

Graduating member Dr. Donald Wheeler

Adult Student Services

405 Scotland Road 211 Pogue Student Center

Edinboro, PA 16444

Phone: (814) 732-2701 Fax: (814) 732-2909

New Leaf will be published each fall and spring by the Office of Adult Student Services. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide information pertinent to Edinboro University’s adult student population.

Our Mission: The mission of Edinboro University’s Office of Adult Student Services is to empower prospective and current adult learners to meet their educational goals through programs and services that remove barriers to their success.

New Leaf ISSUE 03 Fall 2011

Tips for Success in an Online Class (continued from page 1)

Participation – You can’t hide in an online course! Generally speaking, when an instructor asks a question, everyone gets to answer!

Ask For Help – Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructor for help when necessary and remember the Perceptis Helpdesk is there to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Personal Support – Establish a support network that encourages success. Members of this network should ask questions about assignments and your overall performance. They may even be able to provide you with a quiet place to work!

Have all tools required for the course – Textbooks and other materials required in connection with online courses may be purchased through Edinboro University’s Bookstore: http://edinborobookstore.com/home.aspx.

If you find this information interesting and would like to learn more about online programming at Edinboro University, please contact Sandy Dell, Manager of Distance Education, at 814-732-1033 or cdell@edinboro.edu.

For a complete listing of Edinboro University’s online program offerings, visit http://online.edinboro.edu/home/programs.dot.

Congratulations May 2011 Grads! On Friday, May 7, 2011, 160 adult students graduated from Edinboro University with their undergraduate degree.

From top clockwise:

Kimi Gollihugh, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Forensic Accounting with daughter Amanda, son Marc and husband Dave

Amanda Merski, Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Carrie Szermeta, Bachelor of Arts in Music

Joseph Popp, Bachelor of Arts in Art History