Be bold and offer more classes for working adults

Fresno State is missing the boat on the largest growing population of students heading to college. Recent studies have shown that the average age of the college student is on the rise. Soon it will be the new normal to have students in their late 20s and early 30s filling seats in classrooms.

So it’s a surprise to see that Fresno State has done little to attract the largest growth section of the future student population. Focus has been instead put onto engaging the youngest population of students. There is no office for returning students on campus, and there are no special grants, financial aid, or special incentives to help with this population.

Classes are not scheduled to meet the needs of working adults. Most classes are exclusively offered in the middle of the day. Fresno State has an opportunity to capture the masses of returning and adult students who are looking to pursue a better life through education. Fresno State should “be bold” (Thanks, President Joseph Castro) and offer more classes to students who are working adults.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 7:35 AM with the headline "Be bold and offer more classes for working adults."