CHARLOTTE, N.C./March. 17, 2018 – On March 15-17, 2018, Johnson C. Smith University hosted ANTSHE, the premiere conference focusing on adult learners in higher education. Higher education professionals and nontraditional students from across the nation converged in Charlotte for three days of sessions with the goal of improving engagement and collaboration between nontraditional students, administration, and faculty. This year’s theme was “The Fight for Academic Equity: Creating Social Cohesiveness Between the Adult Learner and College.”
Top leaders in academia shared ideas on topics such as improving outcomes for at-risk adult students, creating a cohesive learning community in an online environment, supporting the reentry of Black women into higher education, and best ways to connect with the veteran population.
The conference opened with remarks from Dr. Laura McLean, dean of Johnson C. Smith University’s Metropolitan College of Professional Studies. Dr. Lucinda Blue, assistant professor of business administration, led a breakout session titled “College and Life Success for the Adult Learner” Thursday, March 15, and Dr. Melita Pope Mitchell, assistant dean of Metropolitan College and director of Adult Degree Programs, mediated a student panel discussion Friday, March 16.
ANTSHE award winners were also announced during a ceremony at the conference. JCSU’s own Tracy Sullivan ’19 was honored with the President's Scholarship, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to create adult learner programs and environments that encourage, motivate, and provide the resources and aide needed for adult learner success.
“I am truly grateful to receive the ANTSHE President’s Scholarship,” Sullivan said. “I don’t take my winning for granted—it was a blessing. This scholarship will help cover my tuition next semester and get me one step closer to realizing the dream of earning my degree. It is one less loan I will have to take out to pay for my education.”
Sullivan is a business administration major with a concentration in management.
